Pewter Green SW 6208 is the warmer, earthier of the two, with an LRV of 12 and an olive-gray cast that reads saturated and grounded.
Rosemary SW 6187 is the cooler, grayer one, with the same LRV of 12 and a cleaner green-over-gray cast that reads herbal and sophisticated.
They sit at the same depth (both LRV 12), so the tiebreaker is the lean, not the lightness: warm olive versus cool gray-green. Test both on a photo of your space before you commit.
Pewter Green and Rosemary are the two deep Sherwin-Williams greens that get cross-shopped most when someone wants a saturated, moody green for cabinets or a statement room. Here is the catch: they sit at almost the same depth, both LRV 12, so the usual depth test does not settle it. The real difference is the lean. Pewter Green runs warmer and more olive, the cabinet green that went viral. Rosemary runs cooler and grayer, the herbal, sophisticated dining-room green. This is our side-by-side method for comparing paint colors applied to the two deep SW greens that live next to each other on the fan deck.
The numbers side by side
| Attribute | Pewter Green SW 6208 | Rosemary SW 6187 |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Deep gray-green, earthy | Deep sage green, gray base |
| LRV | 12 | 12 |
| Approximate hex | #5E6259 | #5B6151 |
| Undertone | Warmer, olive, earthy cast | Cooler, grayer, faint herbal cast |
| Loves | Cabinets, warm light, brass and wood | Dining rooms, studies, cool light |
| Watch out for | Reading muddy in cool north light | Reading near charcoal-green in low light |
| Overall vibe | Warm, earthy, saturated | Cool, herbal, sophisticated |
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 Rosemary in one click. Free, no signup.
Room by room, light by light
| Situation | Usual winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| North-facing, cool light | Rosemary | Its gray base aligns with cool light; Pewter Green's olive can flatten and look muddy here. |
| Bright south, warm light | Pewter Green | Warm sun brings out the olive warmth; Rosemary stays cooler and less glowing. |
| Kitchen cabinets | Pewter Green | This is the cabinet green that went viral: earthy, saturated, and crisp against white stone and brass. |
| Dining room or study | Rosemary | The herbal, gray-green lean reads grown-up and considered for a room you sit in. |
| Warm 2700K bulbs at night | Pewter Green | Warm lamplight flatters the olive; Rosemary's gray base can read darker and cooler after dusk. |
| Pairing with cool marble or gray | Rosemary | The cooler gray-green harmonizes with cool stone; Pewter Green's warmth can fight it. |
Because both sit at LRV 12, depth does not decide this duel, the lean does. Pewter Green wins wherever warmth, olive, and brass are in play. Rosemary wins wherever cool light, gray stone, or a herbal, sophisticated mood is the goal. In some lights they nearly merge, so the only reliable way to tell them apart is on your own wall, under your own bulbs.
When to choose Pewter Green
- You want the warmer, earthier, olive-green that reads saturated and pairs with warm wood and brass.
- You are painting kitchen cabinets, an island, or built-ins and you want the green that went viral.
- Your room gets warm light (south exposure or 2700K bulbs) that brings out the olive.
- You like a deep green that feels grounded and earthy rather than herbal and cool. For the full breakdown, see our Pewter Green undertones and best rooms guide.
When to choose Rosemary
- You want the cooler, grayer deep green that reads herbal and sophisticated.
- You are painting a dining room, study, or powder room where a considered, grown-up mood is the goal.
- Your room gets cool north light or pairs with cool marble and gray, where Pewter Green's olive would fight.
- You like a deep green that stays clean and gray-forward instead of warm and olive. For more on this deep sage, see our Rosemary undertones and best rooms guide, and for a related depth matchup one step lighter, our Dried Thyme vs Pewter Green duel.
Same wall, both deep greens, your actual light. Free render in about 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Pewter Green and Rosemary?
The difference is the lean, not the depth. Both sit at LRV 12, so they are equally dark. Pewter Green SW 6208 runs warmer and more olive, the earthy cabinet green. Rosemary SW 6187 runs cooler and grayer, the herbal, sophisticated dining-room green. Both are deep Sherwin-Williams greens, so the choice comes down to warm-olive versus cool-gray, not lightness.
Which is lighter, Pewter Green or Rosemary?
Neither. Both have an LRV of 12, so they are the same depth. The difference is the undertone lean: Pewter Green reads warmer and more olive, Rosemary reads cooler and grayer. If you are trying to pick the lighter one, you are asking the wrong question; pick the lean that fits your light and your finishes instead.
Do Pewter Green and Rosemary have the same undertones?
They are in the same deep green family, but they lean differently. Pewter Green carries a warmer, olive, earthy cast. Rosemary has a cooler, gray-forward base with a faint herbal warmth. They can nearly merge in some lights, which is why sampling both on your wall is the only reliable way to tell them apart.
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 Pewter Green, then swap to Rosemary in one click. Because both sit at LRV 12, you are judging the undertone lean 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 Pewter Green, swap to Rosemary in one click.
Trademark notice. Sherwin-Williams, Pewter Green and Rosemary 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.
