Color spec
| Brand | Sherwin-Williams |
| Name | Studio Taupe |
| SKU | SW 9173 |
| Hex | #A09480 |
| RGB | 160, 148, 128 |
| HSL | 38°, 14%, 56% |
| LRV | 33 |
| Undertone | warm red-orange tone |
| Family | Neutral |
What Color Is Studio Taupe, Really?
Studio Taupe reads as a warm red-orange tone — mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light. The notes below cover how Sherwin-Williams SW 9173 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Studio Taupe
Studio Taupe 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.
How Lighting Changes Studio Taupe
Studio Taupe sits in the mid-range at LRV 33, 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.
Most complaints about Studio Taupe 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.
TEST IT IN YOUR LIGHT →Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Sherwin-Williams SW 9173 directly — but if you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches:
Similar Sherwin-Williams colors
closest in the Sherwin-Williams deckThe nearest shades to Studio Taupe within Sherwin-Williams'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 #A09480 in HSL space. Pair Studio Taupe 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.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Studio Taupe behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY STUDIO TAUPE ON YOUR ROOM →Ask a Question
Not sure about Studio Taupe in your room?
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