Iron Ore → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Iron Ore
If you love Sherwin Williams Iron Ore but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Iron Ore (SW 7069) is a dark black with warm brown-black undertones. A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 6) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Iron Ore and every Behr 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, Behr does not have a perfect equivalent for Iron Ore. The closest option is Ultra Pure White (PPU18-06) with a Delta E of 30, but at that distance the difference will be visible. No close Behr match in our current database. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a Behr store.
Behr Matches for Iron Ore
No close Behr match in our current database.
| Iron Ore | Ultra Pure White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 6 | 94 |
| Hex | #524C47 | #F7F7F5 |
| Undertone | Warm Brown-Black | True Neutral |
| Family | Black | White |
Undertone Comparison
Iron Ore has warm brown-black undertones. A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason.
Ultra Pure White has true neutral undertones. Behr's cleanest, purest white. About as close to a true white as you'll find in any brand. No noticeable undertone.
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. Iron Ore's warm brown-black quality may read differently than Ultra Pure White's true neutral 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
Iron Ore in Your Room
In bright light, the warm brown undertone is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. Warmer than a true black, which gives it depth.
Ultra Pure White in Your Room
Stays white in every lighting condition. The benchmark white that other whites are compared against.
LRV and Brightness
Iron Ore has an LRV of 6, while Ultra Pure White has an LRV of 94. That means Ultra Pure White reflects more light. If you switch from Iron Ore to Ultra Pure White, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Iron Ore
Sherwin Williams recommends Iron Ore for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, cabinets, shutters. With an LRV of 6, 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.
Ultra Pure White is recommended for: trim, ceilings, cabinets, modern interiors, bathroom. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Iron Ore in Other Brands
Looking for Iron Ore equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Iron Ore (SW 7069) is Ultra Pure White (PPU18-06) with a Delta E of 30, which rates as a "no good match" match. No close Behr match in our current database. 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. Iron Ore is a Sherwin Williams color with warm brown-black undertones and an LRV of 6. Ultra Pure White is a Behr color with true neutral undertones and an LRV of 94. With a Delta E of 30, 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 30, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.