Color spec
| Brand | Behr |
| Name | Elemental Tan |
| SKU | MQ2-21 |
| Hex | #C8B59C |
| RGB | 200, 181, 156 |
| HSL | 34°, 29%, 70% |
| LRV | 48 |
| Undertone | warm red-orange tone |
| Family | Neutral |
About Behr Elemental Tan
Elemental Tan sits in the mid-range at LRV 48, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its orange undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Elemental Tan is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Greige-leaning neutrals like this are the safe whole-home choice when you want warmth without committing to a color.
Closest matches by brand
16 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all neutral from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Portola Paints
Kompozit
Similar Behr colors
closest in the Behr deckThe nearest shades to Elemental Tan within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #C8B59C in HSL space. Pair Elemental Tan with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Behr Elemental Tan Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Elemental Tan from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Behr MQ2-21 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Elemental Tan
Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Bittersweet Stem (SW 7536), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.62). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 48 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Elemental Tan without repainting risk. See the full Bittersweet Stem swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Elemental Tan
The closest Benjamin Moore equivalent of Elemental Tan is Warm Sand (CSP-280). At ΔE 0.87 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 47 vs 48). If Benjamin Moore is your counter, order Warm Sand and you'll get the same color. See the full Warm Sand swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Elemental Tan
The closest Valspar equivalent of Elemental Tan is Sandy Trail (V134-3). At ΔE 0.39 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 47.7 vs 48). If Valspar is your counter, order Sandy Trail and you'll get the same color. See the full Sandy Trail swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Elemental Tan
PPG / Glidden's nearest match is Happy Trails (PPG1084-4), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.27). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Elemental Tan without repainting risk. See the full Happy Trails swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Elemental Tan
The closest Glidden equivalent of Elemental Tan is Best Beige (PPG1085-4). At ΔE 0.53 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 47 vs 48). If Glidden is your counter, order Best Beige and you'll get the same color. See the full Best Beige swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Flaxen Tan (416-2DB) — very close at ΔE 2.44, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 48 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Flaxen Tan swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Common Thread (HGSW 3116) — very close at ΔE 2.65, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 46 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Common Thread swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Stonish Beige (DEC716) — very close at ΔE 2.04, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 44 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Stonish Beige swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Wicker Basket (0280) — very close at ΔE 2.09, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Wicker Basket swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At Hirshfield's, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Wicker Basket (0280) — very close at ΔE 2.06, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 47 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Wicker Basket swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Elemental Tan
Rodda's nearest match is Whole Grain (CA099), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.14). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Elemental Tan without repainting risk. See the full Whole Grain swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At C2 Paint, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Baba Ghanoush (C2-896) — very close at ΔE 3.03, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Baba Ghanoush swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Elemental Tan
At Kompozit, the closest color to Elemental Tan is Wicker Basket (0280) — very close at ΔE 2.06, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 48 vs 48) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Wicker Basket swatch →