Upward → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Upward (SW 6239), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Upward
If you love Sherwin Williams Upward 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.
Upward (SW 6239) is a medium blue with airy blue undertones. SW's 2024 Color of the Year. A soft, airy blue with gray undertones. Like looking up at a clear sky. Optimistic, calming, and universally appealing. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 56) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Upward 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.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Behr option is Water Mark (PPU12-14) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Water Mark is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Upward
Water Mark is close.
| Upward | Water Mark | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 56 | 62 |
| Hex | #C4D1D5 | #CDD3D3 |
| Undertone | Airy Blue | Soft Cool Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Upward has airy blue undertones. SW's 2024 Color of the Year. A soft, airy blue with gray undertones. Like looking up at a clear sky. Optimistic, calming, and universally appealing.
Water Mark has soft cool blue undertones. A very light blue-gray. Cool and airy.
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. Upward's airy blue quality may read differently than Water Mark's soft cool blue 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
Upward in Your Room
The blue is soft and serene. In bright rooms, it reads as a gentle blue. In dim rooms, the gray provides calm. Always optimistic.
Water Mark in Your Room
The blue is soft and barely there. Reads as a cool off-white.
LRV and Brightness
Upward has an LRV of 56, while Water Mark has an LRV of 62. That means Water Mark reflects more light. If you switch from Upward to Water Mark, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Upward
Sherwin Williams recommends Upward for: bedroom, bathroom, nursery, living room, hallway. With an LRV of 56, this is a medium color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Water Mark is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, nursery. 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.
Upward in Other Brands
Looking for Upward equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Upward (SW 6239) is Water Mark (PPU12-14) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Water Mark 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. Upward is a Sherwin Williams color with airy blue undertones and an LRV of 56. Water Mark is a Behr color with soft cool blue undertones and an LRV of 62. With a Delta E of 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 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 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.