Downy → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Downy (SW 7002), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Downy
If you love Sherwin Williams Downy 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.
Downy (SW 7002) is a light off-white with warm soft cream undertones. A warm, soft off-white. Gentler than Alabaster. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 78) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Downy 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 Dove Wing (OC-18) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Dove Wing is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Downy
Dove Wing is close.
| Downy | Dove Wing | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 78 | 80.17 |
| Hex | #E6E2DA | #EBE4D7 |
| Undertone | Warm Soft Cream | Warm Cream |
| Family | Off-White | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Downy has warm soft cream undertones. A warm, soft off-white. Gentler than Alabaster.
Dove Wing has warm cream undertones. A warm off-white slightly darker and creamier than White Dove. Sits between White Dove and Edgecomb Gray in depth.
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
Downy in Your Room
Warm and soft. A whisper of cream.
Dove Wing in Your Room
Reads as a soft, warm cream in most rooms. More body than White Dove without being a true beige. Versatile and forgiving.
LRV and Brightness
Downy has an LRV of 78, while Dove Wing has an LRV of 80.17. 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 Downy
Sherwin Williams recommends Downy for: whole house, bedroom, hallway, bathroom. With an LRV of 78, this is a light color that reflects a lot of light and works well in any room, including smaller spaces where you want to maintain a bright, open feel. It is light enough for whole-house use without making rooms feel washed out or sterile.
Dove Wing is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, trim. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Dove Wing in the same rooms you planned for Downy.
Downy in Other Brands
Looking for Downy equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Downy (SW 7002) is Dove Wing (OC-18) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Dove Wing is close. 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. Downy is a Sherwin Williams color with warm soft cream undertones and an LRV of 78. Dove Wing is a Benjamin Moore color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 80.17. With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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 3.4, 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.