Swiss Brown vs Iron Ore
Swiss Brown (Behr) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Swiss Brown belongs to the greige-grey family and Iron Ore to the grey family. The 7-point LRV gap — 12 for Swiss Brown vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Swiss Brown will open up a space more effectively. Where Swiss Brown leans red, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 15.9 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Swiss Brown vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Swiss Brown and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Dining Room
Dining rooms often rely on warm incandescent or candlelight, which flatters warm undertones and mutes cool ones. The brightness difference is modest but present — Swiss Brown gives the walls a little more lift.
Color Details
Swiss Brown vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Swiss Brown on one side and Iron Ore on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Swiss Brown comparisons
See how Swiss Brown stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 12, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 52 vs 12, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 12, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 12, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 12, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (12 vs 4) makes Swiss Brown the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
With LRVs of 13 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 12, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
A 9-point LRV gap (21 vs 12) makes Artichoke the marginally brighter of the two.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 12, Dix Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 12, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 25 vs 12, Treron is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 12 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 12), opening up a space where Swiss Brown encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 12, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 5-point LRV gap (12 vs 7) makes Swiss Brown the marginally brighter of the two.
A 12-point LRV gap (24 vs 12) makes Cement grey the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 57 vs 12, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 72 vs 12, Just Walnut is decisively the brighter choice.