Clary Sage SW 6178 is the deeper mid sage, with an LRV of 41 and a soft, herbal gray-green that reads grounded.
Softened Green SW 6177 is the lighter, airier one, with an LRV of 53 and a gentle green-gray that reads open.
Both are Sherwin-Williams mid sages, so the tiebreaker is depth and how much light your room gets, not undertone. Test both on a photo of your space before you commit.
Clary Sage and Softened Green are two Sherwin-Williams mid sages that sit a single number apart on the fan deck, so shoppers cross-shop them constantly. They are close, but the depth gap between them is real: Clary Sage sits at LRV 41, Softened Green at LRV 53, a 12-point swing. Clary Sage reads grounded and herbal; Softened Green reads airier and a touch more gray. This is our side-by-side method for comparing paint colors applied to the two closest SW mid sages on the card.
The numbers side by side
| Attribute | Clary Sage SW 6178 | Softened Green SW 6177 |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Mid sage green | Soft green, slightly more gray |
| LRV | 41 | 53 |
| Approximate hex | #ACAD97 | #BAC1AC |
| Undertone | Soft sage, subtle gray-green, herbal | Gentle green-gray, airier than Clary Sage |
| Loves | Grounded mid sage, kitchens, versatile | Airy, light, open feel |
| Watch out for | Reading flat in dim rooms | Washing out in strong sun |
| Overall vibe | Soft, grounded, herbal | Soft, airy, light |
Try it on your house
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LRV figures are the published values from Sherwin-Williams. Hex values are approximate digital renderings only, and screens vary; the authoritative reference is always a physical paint chip from the retailer.
Upload one photo, get a photorealistic render, then swap to Softened Green in one click. Free, no signup.
Room by room, exposure by exposure
| Situation | Usual winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| North-facing room | Softened Green | The higher LRV (53) keeps the room from closing in under cool, flat light. |
| Bright south room | Clary Sage | Strong sun can wash Softened Green out; Clary Sage holds its depth and reads richer. |
| Kitchen with white cabinets | Softened Green | The airier green-gray reads cleanly against white and keeps the kitchen feeling open. |
| Bedroom | Clary Sage | The grounded LRV 41 reads calm and herbal, which suits a bedroom. |
| Small or dim room | Softened Green | The LRV 53 bounces what little light exists; Clary Sage can feel flat here. |
| Whole main floor, open plan | Softened Green | Airier LRV 53 flows better across connected spaces and different exposures. |
The pattern is consistent: Softened Green, with its higher LRV of 53, wins wherever light is scarce or you want the room to feel open. Clary Sage, with its LRV of 41, wins wherever you want a grounded, herbal mid sage with a bit more presence. The 12-point LRV gap between them is not a rounding error, it is a visible difference you can check on your own wall.
When to choose Clary Sage
- You want a grounded, herbal mid sage with a bit more presence than Softened Green.
- Your room gets strong natural light, so the LRV 41 reads rich instead of flat.
- You like a soft gray-green that reads as a clear color without going airy or washy.
- You are pairing it with warm wood or cream trim and you want depth as the contrast. For the full breakdown, see our Clary Sage undertones and best rooms guide.
When to choose Softened Green
- Your room is small, dim, or north-facing, and you need the LRV 53 to keep the space from feeling heavy.
- You want an airy, gentle green-gray that reads open rather than grounded.
- You are painting a kitchen with white cabinets, or any space where an open feel matters more than presence.
- You are doing an open-plan main floor where one color has to flow across several rooms and exposures. For more on this lighter sage, see our Softened Green undertones and best rooms guide, and for a related lighter-vs-deeper matchup, our Sea Salt vs Comfort Gray duel.
Same wall, both mid sages, your actual light. Free render in about 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Clary Sage and Softened Green?
The main difference is depth. Clary Sage SW 6178 has an LRV of 41 and a herbal gray-green cast, so it reads grounded with presence. Softened Green SW 6177 has an LRV of 53 and a gentle green-gray cast, so it reads airier and more open. Both are Sherwin-Williams mid sages, so the choice comes down to how much light your room gets and how much presence you want, not undertone.
Which is lighter, Clary Sage or Softened Green?
Softened Green is lighter. Its LRV is 53, compared with 41 for Clary Sage. That 12-point gap is real and visible on the wall: Softened Green bounces more light and feels airy, while Clary Sage reads grounded with more presence. If your room is dim or small, Softened Green is usually the safer pick.
Do Clary Sage and Softened Green have the same undertones?
They are in the same sage-green family, but they lean differently. Clary Sage reads more herbal and grounded. Softened Green has a slightly more gray, airier quality. Calling them identical is the common mistake; the depth and the grounded-vs-airy lean are what separate them.
Can I see both colors on my own wall before I buy paint?
Yes. Upload one photo of your room to FacadeColorizer, get a photorealistic render in Clary Sage, then swap to Softened Green in one click. You will see the 12-point LRV gap on your actual wall, in your actual light, which is the only honest way to settle this duel. The first HD render and three color variations are free.
1 HD render plus 3 free color variations. Start with Clary Sage, swap to Softened Green in one click.
Trademark notice. Sherwin-Williams, Clary Sage and Softened Green are trademarks of The Sherwin-Williams Company. FacadeColorizer is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sherwin-Williams. Brand and color names are used descriptively (nominative fair use). Hex and RGB values are approximate digital renderings; the only authoritative reference is a physical paint sample.
Trademarks mentioned (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Caparol, Brillux, Sto, Alpina, Valspar, PPG, Glidden, Dulux, Crown Trade, Sandtex, Farrow & Ball, Johnstone's, Leyland) are property of their respective owners. FacadeColorizer is independent and not affiliated with any of them. Nominative fair use under Lanham Act §1125.
