Cinder → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Cinder (SW 9170), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Cinder
If you love Sherwin Williams Cinder 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.
Cinder (SW 9170) is a dark gray with warm charcoal undertones. A warm, dark charcoal. Between Peppercorn and Gauntlet Gray. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 13) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cinder 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.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Iron Mountain (2134-30) with a Delta E of 4.1, which is a "good match" level match. Iron Mountain is greener. Cinder is browner. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Cinder
Iron Mountain is greener. Cinder is browner.
| Cinder | Iron Mountain | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 13 | 14.79 |
| Hex | #75736E | #767671 |
| Undertone | Warm Charcoal | Warm Charcoal-Green |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Cinder has warm charcoal undertones. A warm, dark charcoal. Between Peppercorn and Gauntlet Gray.
Iron Mountain has warm charcoal-green undertones. A dark, warm gray with subtle green undertones. Lighter than Wrought Iron, darker than Chelsea Gray. A versatile dark neutral.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Cinder's warm charcoal quality may read differently than Iron Mountain's warm charcoal-green character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Cinder in Your Room
Dark and warm. Shows brown warmth in bright light.
Iron Mountain in Your Room
In bright light, the green lean is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a solid dark gray. Works as a softer alternative to black.
LRV and Brightness
Cinder has an LRV of 13, while Iron Mountain has an LRV of 14.79. 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 Cinder
Sherwin Williams recommends Cinder for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets. With an LRV of 13, 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.
Iron Mountain is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Iron Mountain in the same rooms you planned for Cinder.
Cinder in Other Brands
Looking for Cinder equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Cinder (SW 9170) is Iron Mountain (2134-30) with a Delta E of 4.1, which rates as a "good match" match. Iron Mountain is greener. Cinder is browner. 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. Cinder is a Sherwin Williams color with warm charcoal undertones and an LRV of 13. Iron Mountain is a Benjamin Moore color with warm charcoal-green undertones and an LRV of 14.79. With a Delta E of 4.1, 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 4.1, 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.