ColorplanCat's Paw
No.240 · Farrow & Ball
LRV 44 · mid-tone
0 black100 white
Farrow & Ball Cat's Paw (No.240) is a mid-tone beige with a warm yellow undertone and an LRV of 44. Closest matches: Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan (HC-44), Sherwin-Williams Whole Wheat (SW 6121) and Behr Harvest Brown (710D-4). For trim, try Pointing (No.2003).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Farrow & Ball whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Beige |
| LRV | 43.8 (mid-tone; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #C4AE89 |
| RGB | 196, 174, 137 |
| HSL | 38°, 33%, 65% |
About Cat's Paw
Cat's Paw (No.240) is a mid-tone, medium-strength beige from Farrow & Ball that leans yellow. With an LRV of 44, Cat's Paw has visible color without darkening a room much.
In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Cat's Paw's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward. It's a good fit for bedrooms, offices, accent walls and kitchen cabinets. Next to Biscuit (No.38), it's lighter.
How Cat's Paw changes with the light
Cat's Paw has a strong warm undertone that balances cool north light well. In strong south or west sun it can look more golden, so check a sample at midday and in the late afternoon.
North-facing rooms
Cat's Paw's warmth balances the cool north light, which is why warmer colors are the safe pick for north rooms.
East-facing rooms
Cat's Paw will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
In strong south light Cat's Paw can turn noticeably more yellow or orange; test a sample at midday.
West-facing rooms
Cat's Paw will glow warmer in the late afternoon, so check it at sunset if you want to avoid a strong yellow cast.
See Cat's Paw in real homes
Photos people have shared of Cat's Paw in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Cat's Paw equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Benjamin Moore
Very close · ΔE 1.5
Also close: Bridgewater Tan (ΔE 1.9)
Compare side by side →Sherwin-Williams
Very close · ΔE 2.4
Also close: Basket Beige (ΔE 2.8)
Compare side by side →Similar Farrow & Ball colors
Cat's Paw questions
What undertone does Cat's Paw have?
Cat's Paw has a warm yellow undertone, so it reads as a warm color. In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Cat's Paw's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward.
Is Cat's Paw a light or dark color?
Cat's Paw has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 43.8 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a mid-tone color. With an LRV of 44, Cat's Paw has visible color without darkening a room much.
What is the closest match to Cat's Paw in other paint brands?
Benjamin Moore: Lenox Tan HC-44 (very close, ΔE 1.5); Sherwin-Williams: Whole Wheat SW 6121 (very close, ΔE 2.4); Behr: Harvest Brown 710D-4 (close, ΔE 3.7). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Cat's Paw?
Try Pointing (No.2003) on trim and All White (No.2005) on the ceiling. Both are Farrow & Ball whites that share Cat's Paw's undertone.
Where does Cat's Paw work best?
Cat's Paw works well in bedrooms, offices, accent walls and kitchen cabinets. With an LRV of 44, Cat's Paw has visible color without darkening a room much.
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