Behr Wood Stain Color Chart: Codes by Product Line (2026)

The Behr wood stain color chart splits into lines with their own code prefixes: ST for Semi-Transparent, SC for Solid Color, and Advanced DeckOver, which reuses SC numbers. Several codes copied across the web are wrong (Cedar is ST-146, not ST-123). This guide lists verified codes, durability claims, and 2026 Taupe, and shows which line suits decks versus fences. For application steps on one line, see our Behr Semi-Transparent Wood Stain guide.

Behr Wood Stain Types: A Quick Overview

Behr sorts its exterior wood stains by opacity, and each line carries a different durability claim. The figures below are the manufacturer’s own “up to” numbers, so treat them as best case on well-prepped wood.

Line	Code prefix	Colors	Behr durability claim	Notes
Premium Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer	ST	60	Up to 6 years on decks, up to 8 years on fences and siding	100% acrylic, grain stays visible, two thin coats
Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer	SC	1,600+ custom	Up to 10 years on decks, up to 25 years on fences and siding	Covers grain, roughly 200 to 400 sq ft per gallon, apply at 35 to 90 F
Premium Advanced DeckOver	SC (shared numbers)	54	Resurfacing coat, not rated like a stain	Conceals cracks and splinters up to 1/4 inch, smooth or textured

Per Behr’s product pages for the Semi-Transparent and Solid Color lines, both resist rain after about 4 hours. One myth worth correcting: the 1,600+ color count belongs to the Solid Color line only. DeckOver has 54 colors, and the Semi-Transparent line has 60.

For 2026, Behr named Taupe its Exterior Stain Color of the Year, a soft brown with gray undertones. According to Behr’s announcement, it is offered in five products: Premium Solid Color, Premium Semi-Transparent, DECKplus, Solid Color House & Fence, and Advanced DeckOver. Behr did not publish a stain code for it in that release, so ask for “Taupe” by name at the paint counter.

Wood Stain Color Chart: How to Read and Choose a Shade

A wood stain color chart groups shades by opacity and undertone so you can predict the finished look. Chart swatches are printed or shown on screen, so they only approximate how stain looks on your boards. Natural wood color, age, and prior finishes all shift the result, which is why a sample on a hidden board matters more than the chip.

Transparency Levels Explained

• Clear / transparent: UV and water protection with little or no color change, best for new, high-quality wood.
• Semi-transparent: adds color while letting grain show. Best on smooth or lightly weathered wood.
• Solid color: hides the grain for a painted look and suits rough, patched, or heavily weathered surfaces.

Horizontal surfaces take the most abuse from sun, water, and foot traffic. A deck will need recoating before a fence of the same age, in the same stain.

Matching Stain Color to Wood Type

Wood type	Natural tone	Stain families that tend to work	Opacity to start with
Pine / Spruce	Pale yellow	Warm cedar, honey, teak	Semi-transparent
Cedar / Redwood	Reddish-brown	Cedar and redwood tones	Semi-transparent
Pressure-treated lumber	Greenish tan, fades to gray	Neutral gray, dark brown	Solid or semi-solid
Oak / Ash	Golden tan	Light oak, golden tones	Semi-transparent
Weathered gray wood	Silver-gray	Depends on prep	Solid is more forgiving

Wood species changes how the same can reads on the board. Our pine stain color guide shows why softwood rarely matches the chip.

Behr Semi-Transparent Stain Color Chart

The Semi-Transparent line has 60 colors. The table lists the ones whose codes we could confirm from Home Depot product listings for this line. It is a partial chart, not all 60. Where the same color name also appears in the Solid Color line, the number repeats with an SC prefix.

Color	Semi-transparent code	Same name in Solid Color line
Slate	ST-102	SC-102
Cordovan Brown	ST-104	Not checked
Padre Brown	ST-105	Not checked
Chestnut	ST-110	Not checked
Chocolate	ST-129	Not checked
Cappuccino	ST-142	Not checked
Desert Sand	ST-145	Not checked
Cedar	ST-146	Not checked
Red Cedar	ST-152	Not checked
Redwood	ST-330	SC-330
Cedar Naturaltone	ST-533	SC-533

Corrections to Codes Often Copied Online

An earlier version of this chart listed several codes that do not match Home Depot’s product titles. Fixed here:

Color	Previously listed	Verified code
Cedar	ST-123	ST-146
Cedar Naturaltone	ST-108	ST-533 (semi-transparent) and SC-533 (solid)
Padre Brown	SC-105 (solid)	ST-105 (semi-transparent)
Colony Blue	SC-113	SC-119

Always match by code and name together when you reorder. A mismatch between the can label and a chart you copied from the web is the most common way to end up with the wrong shade.

Behr Solid Stain Color Chart

Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer is the line to use on old, patched, or uneven wood because it hides grain and color variation. Behr lists more than 1,600 custom colors, mixed at the store. These standard names and codes are confirmed from Home Depot listings:

Color	Solid color code	Note
Atlantic	SC-101
Slate	SC-102	Also ST-102 in semi-transparent
Russet	SC-117
Colony Blue	SC-119
Woodland Green	SC-126
Light Lead	SC-149
English Brown	SC-201
Coastal Gray	SC-249
Redwood	SC-330	Also ST-330 in semi-transparent
Cedar Naturaltone	SC-533	Also ST-533 in semi-transparent

Solid stain forms a film, so peeling usually traces back to damp wood or poor prep, not the color you picked. Before staining, check how long wood needs to dry with our wood drying time guide.

Behr Deck Stain Colors

Decks are where Behr’s three lines overlap, so the choice comes down to wood condition:

• Semi-Transparent (ST codes): newer, sound decks where you want the grain. Popular picks include Cedar (ST-146), Redwood (ST-330), and Chestnut (ST-110).
• Solid Color (SC codes): older, worn decks. Examples: Slate (SC-102), English Brown (SC-201), Coastal Gray (SC-249).
• Advanced DeckOver: cracked, splintered boards. It conceals cracks up to 1/4 inch and comes in 54 colors, including SC-365 Cape Cod Gray and SC-330 Redwood.

If you are choosing between stain and a coating at all, our deck stain and sealer comparison explains the difference.

Behr Fence Stain Color Chart

Vertical fence boards shed water and get less foot wear, which is why Behr’s longest claim (up to 25 years) is for solid color on fences and siding. Semi-transparent claims up to 8 years there. Color pairings from the codes above:

Look	Pick	Code	Line
Natural cedar tone	Cedar	ST-146	Semi-transparent
Reddish tone	Redwood	ST-330 or SC-330	Semi-transparent or solid
Medium brown	Cordovan Brown	ST-104	Semi-transparent
Dark gray	Slate	SC-102	Solid
Soft gray	Coastal Gray	SC-249	Solid
Warm brown, full cover	English Brown	SC-201	Solid

For clear versus tinted fence finishes, see our best fence stain comparison.

Choosing The Right Behr Stain Color

Start with the opacity, then the color. Pick semi-transparent only if the boards are in good shape, because it cannot hide stains, patches, or uneven weathering. Buy a sample (Behr sells 8 oz sizes) and brush it on a hidden board, then judge it dry, in the light the surface actually gets.

• Light tones such as Desert Sand (ST-145) or Cedar (ST-146) suit pine and cedar and show the least wear.
• Dark tones such as Chocolate (ST-129) or Cordovan Brown (ST-104) show dust, pollen, and fading more on sunny decks.
• If you already have a finish to match, our guide on whether you can color match stain covers the options.

Comparing brands? See our Varathane stain color chart, our Sherwin-Williams chart, and the Behr vs Cabot deck stain comparison.

Application Tips And Techniques

Preparing The Surface

Clean off dirt, mildew, and any loose finish, let the wood dry fully, and repair cracks and loose boards first. Moisture trapped under a film-forming stain is a common cause of peeling.

Tools For Best Results

A brush, pad, or roller works on flat boards. Work with the grain, keep a wet edge, and apply two thin coats on the Semi-Transparent line rather than one heavy coat. Do not apply below 35 F or above 90 F on the Solid Color line.

Maintaining The Finish

Rinse the surface gently and recoat when water stops beading, before bare wood shows. Recoating on schedule is cheaper than stripping failed stain later.

Care And Maintenance

Sweep debris off the boards, because grit scratches the film. Wash with mild soap and water rather than bleach or harsh solvents. When you do refresh, reuse the original code and name so the color stays consistent, and test on a small area first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Behr Wood Stain Color Chart?

The Behr wood stain color chart lists Behr’s exterior stain colors by product line: Semi-Transparent (ST codes, 60 colors), Solid Color (SC codes, 1,600+ custom colors), and Advanced DeckOver (54 colors). It helps you match opacity and color to your wood, then order by code at The Home Depot.

How Many Colors Does Behr Stain Come In?

It depends on the line. Behr lists 60 colors for Premium Semi-Transparent, more than 1,600 custom colors for Premium Solid Color, and 54 for Advanced DeckOver. Taupe, the 2026 Exterior Stain Color of the Year, is offered in five Behr stain products.

What Do ST And SC Mean On Behr Stain Colors?

ST marks colors in the Semi-Transparent line, where wood grain stays visible. SC marks the Solid Color line, which covers grain. Some names repeat with both prefixes, such as Slate (ST-102 and SC-102), but the formulas and results are different.

How Long Does Behr Deck Stain Last?

Behr claims up to 6 years on decks for Semi-Transparent and up to 10 years for Solid Color. These are best-case figures on prepared wood. Decks wear faster than fences, so expect to recoat the deck first.

Where Can You Buy Behr Wood Stain?

Behr wood stains are sold through The Home Depot, in stores and online. Custom Solid Color shades are mixed at the store. Amazon listings for Behr stain are limited and can be out of stock, so this guide suggests a similar semi-transparent alternative from another brand.

Conclusion

Pick the opacity first: semi-transparent for sound wood where you want grain, solid for worn boards, DeckOver for cracked decks. Then order by code and name together, using the verified numbers above, and test a sample on a hidden board before committing to the whole project.