Pewter Tankard (SW 0023)
A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding.
About Sherwin Williams Pewter Tankard
Pewter Tankard (SW 0023) is a gray from Sherwin Williams's collection with an LRV of 39 and warm pewter undertones. A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding.
Pewter Tankard is a deeper color with an LRV of 39, meaning it absorbs more light than it reflects. This gives it real drama and sophistication. It works well on accent walls, exterior siding, front doors, cabinets, and architectural features where you want a bold statement. In a full room application, make sure you have adequate lighting and use bright white trim to prevent the space from feeling too dark.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
Pewter Tankard has an LRV of 39, placing it in the medium-dark range on the 0-to-100 scale. LRV measures the percentage of visible light a color reflects. A pure black has an LRV of 0 and a pure white has an LRV of 100. Understanding a color's LRV helps you predict how it will feel in your space: higher LRV means brighter and more spacious, lower LRV means cozier and more intimate.
Undertone Analysis
Pewter Tankard has warm pewter undertones. Undertones are the subtle background colors that become visible in different lighting conditions. Even colors that look "neutral" in the store will reveal their undertones once they are on your walls and interacting with natural light, artificial light, and the colors around them.
A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding. Warm undertones like these pair naturally with other warm elements: honey-toned wood floors, brass and gold hardware, cream-colored textiles, and warm-toned furnishings. They can clash with strongly cool elements like icy blue accents or chrome fixtures, though the effect depends on the strength of the undertone.
Lighting Behavior
Reads as a warm, substantial gray in most rooms. The earthy warmth prevents it from feeling cold. Works beautifully with natural materials and warm metals.
Every paint color looks different depending on the light source in your room. South-facing rooms get warm, direct sunlight that brings out yellow and warm undertones. North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that emphasizes blue and gray undertones. East-facing rooms are bright and warm in the morning, cooler in the afternoon. West-facing rooms are the opposite: cool morning, warm afternoon. Incandescent and warm LED bulbs push colors warmer, while cool-white LEDs and fluorescent tubes push colors cooler. To avoid surprises, always test Pewter Tankard with a physical sample on your actual wall, and observe it at different times of day before committing.
Best Rooms for Pewter Tankard
Sherwin Williams recommends Pewter Tankard for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall.
On an accent wall, Pewter Tankard creates a focal point that draws the eye and adds visual depth to the room. Pair it with a lighter color on the remaining walls for the best contrast.
Closest Matches in Other Brands
Find the closest equivalent to Sherwin Williams Pewter Tankard from other paint brands. Matches are calculated using Delta E (CIE2000), the industry standard for measuring perceptual color difference.
Benjamin Moore Matches
Smoke Embers is a close match. Both are warm, pewter-toned medium grays. Nearly interchangeable.
View all Benjamin Moore matches →Behr Matches
Studio Taupe is similar in warmth and depth. Slightly more beige but close.
View all Behr matches →Coordinating Colors
These colors pair beautifully with Pewter Tankard for a cohesive palette. Use them for trim, accents, adjacent rooms, or furniture to create a well-designed space.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are still researching the best Sherwin Williams match for this color. Check back soon for updated match data.
Pewter Tankard has warm pewter undertones. A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding. Undertones become most visible when the color is on a large surface like a wall, and they shift depending on the light source in your room. Always test with a physical sample in your specific space to see how the undertones interact with your lighting, flooring, and furnishings.
Pewter Tankard (SW 0023) has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 39, which puts it in the medium-dark range. LRV measures the percentage of light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). At 39, this is a darker color that creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Pair it with bright white trim for the best contrast.
Pewter Tankard leans warm. The warm pewter undertones give it a cozy, inviting quality. It pairs naturally with other warm elements like wood tones, brass hardware, and cream textiles. In north-facing rooms, the warmth is especially welcoming.
Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.