Mars Red
2172-20 · #924737 · LRV 11 — warm red tone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Mahogany0
- 2Turkish Coffee5
- 3Mars Red11
- 4Cavern Clay20
- 5Redend Point30
What Color Is Mars Red, Really?
Mars Red reads as a warm red tone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Benjamin Moore 2172-20 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Mars Red
Mars Red works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Browns ground a room and pair naturally with leather, wood and warm metals.
How Lighting Changes Mars Red
With an LRV of 11, Mars Red is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its red 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. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Mars Red are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Benjamin Moore 2172-20 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Flower PotSW 6334 · Sherwin-Williams | 1.7 | 10 | Color page → |
| Behr | Autumn MaplePMD-21 · Behr | 2.3 | 11 | Color page → |
| Valspar | RambutanP044 · Valspar | 1.8 | 10.6 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Cedar ChestPPG1065-7 · PPG / Glidden | 1.7 | 11 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Cedar ChestPPG1065-7 · Glidden | 2.1 | 11 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Terra Orange308-7DB · Dutch Boy | 2.3 | 11 | Color page → |
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
The nearest shades to Mars Red within Benjamin Moore's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #924737 in HSL space. Pair Mars Red with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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