Sage → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Sherwin Williams Sage (SW 2860), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Sage
If you love Sherwin Williams Sage but need a Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Sage (SW 2860) is a medium-dark green with classic sage undertones. A classic muted sage green. SW's straightforward sage option. More gray than a true green, more green than a true gray. The perfect middle ground for anyone who wants sage without commitment. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 38) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Sage and every Farrow & Ball 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 good news: there is a strong Farrow & Ball match for Sage. Mizzle (No.266) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Mizzle is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 40. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Sage
Mizzle is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 40. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
| Sage | Mizzle | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 38 | 40 |
| Hex | #B4B9AC | #B9BCB0 |
| Undertone | Classic Sage | Soft Sage-Gray |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Sage has classic sage undertones. A classic muted sage green. SW's straightforward sage option. More gray than a true green, more green than a true gray. The perfect middle ground for anyone who wants sage without commitment.
Mizzle has soft sage-gray undertones. A soft, misty sage green. Named for fine rain. Atmospheric and calming. More green than Ammonite, more gray than a true sage.
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
Sage in Your Room
The sage is soft and balanced. In bright rooms, the green is pleasant and natural. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm gray with green undertones. Versatile and calming.
Mizzle in Your Room
In bright light, the sage quality is lovely. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm gray with green whispers. Atmospheric.
LRV and Brightness
Sage has an LRV of 38, while Mizzle has an LRV of 40. 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 Sage
Sherwin Williams recommends Sage for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, exterior. With an LRV of 38, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Mizzle is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, hallway. 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.
Sage in Other Brands
Looking for Sage equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Sage (SW 2860) is Mizzle (No.266) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Mizzle is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 40. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth. 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. Sage is a Sherwin Williams color with classic sage undertones and an LRV of 38. Mizzle is a Farrow & Ball color with soft sage-gray undertones and an LRV of 40. With a Delta E of 2.3, 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 2.3, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Farrow & Ball equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Farrow & Ball. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Farrow & Ball 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.