Cavern Clay → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Cavern Clay (SW 7701), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Cavern Clay
If you love Sherwin Williams Cavern Clay but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Cavern Clay (SW 7701) is a dark brown with warm terracotta undertones. SW's 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta inspired by desert caves. Bold and warm, with the natural beauty of sun-baked clay. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 15) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cavern Clay and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
Honestly, Benjamin Moore does not have a perfect equivalent for Cavern Clay. The closest option is Texas Leather (2153-40) with a Delta E of 5.8, but at that distance the difference will be visible. Texas Leather is richer and more leather-toned. Cavern Clay is more orange-terracotta. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a Benjamin Moore store.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Cavern Clay
Texas Leather is richer and more leather-toned. Cavern Clay is more orange-terracotta.
| Cavern Clay | Texas Leather | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 15 | 18.22 |
| Hex | #9C7157 | #92755A |
| Undertone | Warm Terracotta | Warm Leather Brown |
| Family | Brown | Brown |
Undertone Comparison
Cavern Clay has warm terracotta undertones. SW's 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta inspired by desert caves. Bold and warm, with the natural beauty of sun-baked clay.
Texas Leather has warm leather brown undertones. A rich, warm leather brown. The color of a well-aged saddle or cognac. Not a neutral brown but a statement brown with red-gold warmth. Perfect for creating warmth and character.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Cavern Clay in Your Room
In bright light, the terracotta glows with warmth. In dim rooms, it reads as a rich, warm brown. Under warm light, the orange-red comes alive.
Texas Leather in Your Room
In bright light, the red-gold warmth glows beautifully. In dim rooms, it reads as a rich, dark brown. Under warm incandescent light, the leather quality deepens.
LRV and Brightness
Cavern Clay has an LRV of 15, while Texas Leather has an LRV of 18.22. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Cavern Clay
Sherwin Williams recommends Cavern Clay for: accent wall, dining room, powder room, bedroom, exterior. With an LRV of 15, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Texas Leather is recommended for: accent wall, office, dining room, powder room, exterior. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Texas Leather in the same rooms you planned for Cavern Clay.
Cavern Clay in Other Brands
Looking for Cavern Clay equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Cavern Clay (SW 7701) is Texas Leather (2153-40) with a Delta E of 5.8, which rates as a "approximate" match. Texas Leather is richer and more leather-toned. Cavern Clay is more orange-terracotta. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Cavern Clay is a Sherwin Williams color with warm terracotta undertones and an LRV of 15. Texas Leather is a Benjamin Moore color with warm leather brown undertones and an LRV of 18.22. With a Delta E of 5.8, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 5.8, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.