How to Color Match Your Paint

Have you ever needed to touch up a wall, only to realize you have no clue what paint color was used? Are you stuck staring at your wall, wondering if that’s “Egret White” or “Accessible Beige”? 

If you are trying to match your existing paint color and want to avoid repainting an entire room, there are a few reliable ways to get a near-perfect match—no professional required. 

In this article, you’ll learn three methods that homeowners and business owners can use to accurately identify and match existing paint colors. You’ll walk away knowing which approach works best for your needs—whether you want a quick app-based estimate or precision matching with professional-grade tools. 

1. Cut a Small Paint Sample and Take It to a Local Paint Store

The most accurate way to match paint is by bringing a physical sample to a professional paint store. If you can access a small, hidden section of the painted wall (like behind a light switch plate, outlet cover, or baseboard), carefully cut out a 2-inch square of drywall. Make sure the sample is large enough for a scanner to read the full spectrum of undertones and sheen. 

Once you have your sample, take it to a store like Sherwin-Williams or Rodda Paint. Most locations have advanced color-matching equipment that scans the chip and mixes a formula that matches as closely as possible. This method gives you the highest level of accuracy outside of the original can label. 

Pro Tip: If you’re worried about the hole, patching and touch-up kits are inexpensive and available at any home improvement store. 

2. Use a Color Matching Tool for In-Home Precision

If you want pro-level results without removing part of your wall, a handheld color matching device is your best bet. 

Tools like the Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Match Pro let you scan a section of your wall using a small device that pairs with your smartphone. Once scanned, the app will suggest the closest paint color match from the Sherwin-Williams catalog. 

This is especially helpful if: 

• You can’t cut a physical sample
• You want to check multiple rooms quickly
• You prefer tech over guesswork

The ColorSnap Match Pro is available online or at Sherwin-Williams stores and typically costs around $70-$100. You’ll need to create a free account on the Sherwin-Williams website to purchase online. While it’s a bit of an investment, it gives you repeatable accuracy and is useful if you’ll be doing other paint projects later. 

Good to know: This tool is more precise than a photo or app alone; however, results still depend on factors such as wall texture and having a flat surface to scan.

Credit: Sherwin-Williams ,ColorSnap Match Pro

3. Try a Paint Matching App (Quick and Easy, But Less Precise)

If you’re looking for a fast and low-cost option, color matching apps can give you a ballpark estimate of color—just don’t expect perfection. 

Even at a low cost, these apps have room for improvement, and you may come across a few options in your preferred app store. Be wary that they may not get you the results you need.

 In our research, one of the easiest and most effective ways to color match online was to use the Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer tool (works best on desktop), and upload a photo of your room. You can click different areas of the room to identify the closest paint color match. 

However, there are a few caveats: 

• Lighting conditions, shadows, and camera quality can impact accuracy.
• Most apps suggest the closest match from available paint lines, which may still be noticeably off in person.
• Results can vary across different smartphones. 

Still, if you’re just covering up a scuff or testing ideas, a color app can be a helpful starting point. 

Helpful Hint: Try scanning the same wall at different times of day to see how the lighting affects your color match.  

Tips for Getting the Closest Color Match of Your Existing Paint

Even if you still have the old paint can, the color on your wall might not be an exact match anymore. Over time, paint color can change due to sunlight exposure, accumulated dirt, cleaning, and natural wear and tear. Also, remember that the sheen of your paint is just as important as the color.  

If you get the color right, but the new paint is a higher or lower sheen, it will show differently, especially when viewed at different angles or in different lighting.  That’s why touching up a wall with leftover paint sometimes results in visible patches, even if it is technically the same color. 

Here are a few additional tips to get the best match possible: 

• Clean the wall first before scanning or cutting a sample. Dust and oils can affect results.
• Try to scan in natural light for better accuracy (especially with apps).
• If you’re between two similar colors, test both. What looks right under artificial light might shift in the daylight.
• Don’t rely on memory. What you remember the color looking like (or what it looked like in the can) may not reflect how it looks on your wall now. 

Working with a Pro? Here’s How We Handle Color Matching at Roe Painting

If you choose to work with professional painting services, our team at Roe Painting typically partners with Sherwin-Williams and Rodda Paint for accurate color matches. 

Prefer to work with a specific brand? Just let us know. While we default to our trusted suppliers for quality and consistency, we’re happy to work with whatever brand you prefer. 

Tip: If you’re planning a larger repaint project, this might be a good time to reassess whether color matching is worth it or whether a fresh color would better suit the space. 

You Can Match Paint with Confidence

Whether you’re refreshing a room or fixing a small patch, you now have the tools and know-how to match your existing paint color, without the guesswork. 

We covered how to: 

• Cut and match a sample at a paint store for pro-level accuracy
• Use a handheld color scanner for in-home convenience
• Try low-cost apps for fast, good-enough results when perfection isn’t critical 

Remember: Even with leftover paint cans, age, light, and wear can shift the color on your wall. Matching isn’t always exact, but with the right method, you can get very close. 

Choose the method that works best for your comfort level and the size of your project. If you’re just touching up a few spots, an app or tool may do the job. If you are repainting an entire area, visiting a paint store is well worth the effort. 

And if you decide to bring in a professional, our team at Roe Painting is ready to help. We work closely with Sherwin-Williams and Rodda Paint, and can match just about any brand or color, or help you choose a new color altogether.  

Keep in mind that color matching can save you money, as most color-matched paint jobs only require one coat of good-quality paint, while most color changes will require two coats of paint for full color coverage.