Behr Authentic Brown MQ2-05A
| Code: | MQ2-05A |
| Name: | Authentic Brown |
| Brand: | Behr |
What color is Behr Authentic Brown?
Elevate your space with Behr Authentic Brown (MQ2-05A), a rich and inviting hue that exudes warmth and sophistication. This deep shade pairs seamlessly with soft neutrals like ivory and taupe, creating a chic and timeless color palette. For a more dramatic look, consider contrasting Authentic Brown with crisp whites or pops of dusty blue. Whether used on walls, furniture, or accents, this versatile color adds depth and character to any room. Embrace the classic charm of Authentic Brown (MQ2-05A) and transform your space into a cozy retreat.
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What are Behr Authentic Brown undertones?
The undertone of Authentic Brown can be accurately described as a Red hue, as is apparent from the color space provided. By isolating the pure hue and eliminating any tints, tones, and shades, we were able to precisely determine its undertone. This approach has proven to be more accurate than traditional methods of defining undertones on a white background, which are now considered outdated.
HEX value
HEX value:
#6B5446
RGB code:
107, 84, 70
Is Behr Authentic Brown MQ2-05A cool or warm?
With a hue of 23° thisbrownrefers warm paint shade according to HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) on the color wheel.
MQ2-05A Authentic Brown HSL code: 23, 21%, 35%
Hue - degree on a color wheel from 0 to 360. 0 is red, 120 is green, and 240 is blue.
Saturation is expressed as a percentage. At 0%, it appears as a shade of grey, and at 100%, it is in full color..
Lightness is also a percentage value. 0% is black, and 100% is white.
- Warm colors are ideal for kitchens, living rooms or bathrooms
- Warmer hues make larger spaces feel more inviting
- Warm beige shades create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making any room feel comfortable and welcoming, perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
- Using dark warm shades like rich reds and browns creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere, perfect for dining rooms, libraries, and living rooms. These colors add depth and warmth. However, be careful when using them in small spaces or rooms with low ceilings, as they can make the space feel even smaller.
Act like a pro: Mixing warm and cool shades is a must have to get harmonius interior. Add accents that contrast with the primary color to create visual balance. If your walls are a warm color, don’t forget to add accent in cold colors (furniture, art, décor). A good practice is too use a complementary color scheme.
How light temperature affects Authentic Brown
Natural Lighting. During the day, natural light shifts from about 2000 K at sunrise/sunset to 5500–6500 K at noon.
In addition, natural‑light temperature depends on its direction:
| Direction of sunlight | Visible temp. | Hue | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Cool | Bluish | All day |
| East | Warm | Yellow | Before noon |
| West | Warm | Orange‑red | After noon |
| South | Warm | Orange‑yellow | All day |
Artificial Lighting. When choosing bulbs, pay attention to their color‑temperature (Kelvins).
Use the slider to see how this brown shade looks under different lighting:


4000K
Coordinating colors.
Colors that go with Behr Authentic Brown:
Monochromatic color scheme
This scheme consists of various shades, tints, and tones of a single color. While it offers a perfect combination of hues, without accent décor it may become monotonous.
Lighter shades
MQ2-05A
Authentic Brown
Darker shades
MQ2-05A
Authentic Brown
Complementary color scheme
This color scheme is a combination of two shades that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between these colors creates a vibrant and dynamic visual effect. For the color Authentic Brown with a red hue, complementary colors are those with a green hue close to 203, such as Behr Nor'Wester and Absolute Zero.
LRV of Authentic Brown
Authentic Brown has an LRV of 10.26% and refers to Medium Dark which means that this color reflects very little light. Why LRV is important?
Light Reflectance Value measures the amount of visible and usable light that reflects from a painted surface.
Simply put, the higher the LRV of a paint color, the brighter the room you will get.
The scale goes from 0% (absolute black, absorbing all light) to 100% (pure white, reflecting all light).
Act like a pro: When choosing paint with an LRV of 10.26%, pay attention to your bulbs' brightness. Light brightness is measured in lumens. The lower the paint's LRV, the higher lumen level you need. Every square foot of room needs at least 40 lumens. That means for a 200 ft2 living room you’ll need about 8000 lumens of light – e.g., eight 1000 lm bulbs.
Color codes
We have collected almost every possible color code you could ever need. To copy the code, just click the icon to the right of it.
| Format | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| HEX | #6b5446 | |
| RGB Decimal | 107, 84, 70 | |
| RGB Percent | 41.96%, 32.94%, 27.45% | |
| HSV | Hue: 23° Saturation: 34.58% Value: 41.96% | |
| HSL | hsl(23, 21, 35) | |
| CMYK | Cyan: 0.0 Magenta: 21.5 Yellow: 34.58 Key: 58.04 | |
| YIQ | Y: 89.281 I: 18.205 Q: 0.509 | |
| XYZ | X: 10.339 Y: 9.909 Z: 7.161 | |
| CIE Lab | L:37.679 a:7.309 b:11.821 | |
| CIE Luv | L:37.679 u:15.351 v:12.668 | |
| Decimal | 7033926 | |
| Hunter Lab | 31.479, 3.541, 8.548 |
Color equivalents
N190-7
Moose Trail
Behr
SW 7520
Dark Brown
Sherwin Williams
2107-30
Rockies Brown
Benjamin Moore
2107-20
Mocha Brown
Benjamin Moore
1237
Raisin
Benjamin Moore
SW 2807
Rookwood Medium Brown
Sherwin Williams

1238
Falcon Brown
Benjamin Moore
N170-6
Natural Bark
Behr
N230-7
Rustic Tobacco
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CSP-270
Dark Chocolate
Benjamin Moore
2110-20
Brown Tar
Benjamin Moore
PPU5-18
Chocolate Swirl
Behr
2111-30
Mustang
Benjamin Moore

CSP-300
Riding Boots
Benjamin Moore


