Minwax Wood Stain Color Chart: All Colors, Gel Stains & Stain Markers (2026)

Looking for the complete Minwax wood stain color chart? You’re in the right place. Minwax offers 48 standard stain colors, plus separate lines for gel stains and stain markers — each designed for different wood types and applications. This guide covers all of them with color numbers so you can find the perfect shade before you buy.

Minwax Wood Stain Color Chart (All 48 Colors)

Minwax Wood Finish stains are oil-based penetrating stains designed for bare, unfinished wood. Each color has a specific number you can use when ordering or comparing swatches at the hardware store. Below are the most popular colors organized by tone family.

Light & Natural Tones

Color Name	Minwax #	Best For
Natural	209	Pine, maple — lets wood grain show
Ipswich Pine	221	Light yellow-brown; pine floors
Honey	272	Warm golden tone for light woods
Golden Oak	210B	Classic warm amber; one of Minwax’s most popular
Gunstock	231	Medium warm brown with reddish hint
Early American	230	Medium brown; works on most woods

Medium Browns

Color Name	Minwax #	Best For
Provincial	211	Warm medium brown; great on oak
Special Walnut	224	2026 Color of the Year — rich walnut tone with warm undertones
Aged Oak	2126	Cool-toned medium brown
Jacobean	2750	Dark rich brown with cool undertone
Weathered Oak	270	Gray-brown; popular for driftwood look

Special Walnut (224) is Minwax’s 2026 Color of the Year. It strikes a balance between golden brown and true walnut — warm enough to enhance oak, subtle enough not to overwhelm pine or maple. It’s a versatile choice for floors, furniture, and cabinets.

Dark & Rich Tones

Color Name	Minwax #	Best For
Dark Walnut	2716	Deep brown; popular for modern farmhouse
Red Mahogany	225	Warm reddish-brown; traditional furniture
Red Oak	215	Reddish tone; matches red oak floors
Ebony	2718	Near-black; dramatic furniture finish
Puritan Pine	218	Yellow-gold; colonial style

Gray & Cool Tones

Color Name	Minwax #	Best For
Classic Gray	271	Light gray; modern coastal style
Slate	2745	Medium blue-gray; contemporary look
Weathered Oak	270	Gray-brown; reclaimed wood look
Carbon Gray	GM3	Dark charcoal gray

Looking to learn how to apply stain correctly? See our guide on how to stain cedar wood — the same techniques apply to most softwoods.

Ready to learn even more about Stain? This link offers additional information. Dye vs Stain for Wood: Which Should You Use?

Minwax Gel Stain Color Chart

Minwax Gel Stain is a different product from the standard Wood Finish — it’s thicker, sits on top of the wood surface rather than penetrating it, and is better suited for non-porous or difficult-to-stain surfaces like pine, maple, cherry, and fiberglass. If you’ve struggled with blotchy results on pine or maple with regular stain, gel stain is the solution.

Gel Stain Color	Tone	Best For
Natural	Light golden	Light woods, enhancing grain without darkening
Antique Maple	Warm amber	Pine, maple — reduces blotching
Honey Maple	Light warm brown	Cherry, maple
Ipswich Pine	Yellow-brown	Pine floors and furniture
Early American	Medium brown	Most wood types
Provincial	Warm brown	Oak, walnut
Special Walnut	Rich walnut	Furniture refinishing
Dark Walnut	Deep brown	Modern farmhouse style
Red Mahogany	Reddish-brown	Traditional furniture
Ebony	Near-black	Dramatic statement pieces

Gel stain vs. regular stain: Use gel stain when working with pine, maple, or any wood that tends to absorb stain unevenly. Gel stain gives you a more controlled, even color because it doesn’t soak into the wood as aggressively. Apply it with a lint-free cloth, work in sections, and wipe off the excess within 3 minutes.

Minwax Stain Marker Color Chart

Minwax stain markers are touch-up tools — felt-tip markers filled with oil-based stain that let you repair scratches, nicks, and worn spots on stained wood without refinishing the entire piece. They match the most popular Minwax stain colors so you can get a close match to your existing finish.

Stain Marker Color	Matching Stain #	Use Case
Golden Oak	210B	Light oak floors, cabinets
Early American	230	Medium brown furniture
Gunstock	231	Warm reddish floors
Special Walnut	224	Walnut-tone wood repairs
Dark Walnut	2716	Dark floor and furniture touch-ups
Red Mahogany	225	Reddish-toned antique furniture
Ebony	2718	Dark scratch repairs
Classic Gray	271	Gray-toned floors

How to use stain markers: Shake well, press the tip on a paper towel until stain flows, then apply directly to the damaged area using light strokes. Blend the edges immediately with a dry cloth. For best results, choose a marker one shade lighter than your finish — you can always darken, but it’s harder to lighten.

Interested in more about Stain? Here's an article you might find helpful. What Is the Best Wood Stain?

Choosing the Right Minwax Stain for Your Wood Type

Not all woods accept stain the same way — if you’re deciding between product types, see our guide on the best wood stain by project and wood type. Porous woods like oak and ash drink stain quickly and show rich, even color. Tight-grained woods like maple and cherry can turn blotchy with regular stain because they absorb inconsistently. Here’s a quick reference:

Wood Type	Recommended Stain Type	Best Color Choices
Oak	Regular Wood Finish	Golden Oak, Early American, Dark Walnut
Pine	Gel Stain (or pre-conditioner + regular)	Natural, Honey, Ipswich Pine
Maple	Gel Stain	Antique Maple, Special Walnut
Cherry	Gel Stain or light regular stain	Red Mahogany, Provincial
Walnut	Regular or none (beautiful natural)	Dark Walnut, Natural
Whitewood (SPF)	Gel Stain or pre-conditioner + regular	Simply White, Natural, Honey
Yellawood (Southern Yellow Pine)	Gel Stain or pre-conditioner first	Ipswich Pine, Early American, Natural
Ash	Regular Wood Finish	Classic Gray, Weathered Oak

For soft maple and hard maple differences that affect how stain absorbs, see our breakdown of hard vs soft maple wood.

How to Apply Minwax Wood Stain

Proper application makes the difference between a blotchy result and a professional finish. Always start with clean, sanded wood — 120 grit for the main surface, 220 grit for final smoothing. Remove all dust before staining.

1. Apply a pre-stain wood conditioner if working with pine, maple, or cherry — this prevents blotching.
2. Apply stain with a brush or lint-free cloth, working with the wood grain.
3. Let it penetrate for 5–15 minutes depending on desired darkness.
4. Wipe off excess stain with a clean cloth — don’t let it dry on the surface.
5. For a darker color, apply a second coat after the first has dried (4–6 hours).
6. Finish with a clear topcoat — polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish — to protect the stain.

Once your stain is dry, you’ll need a topcoat to protect it. See our guide on whether to seal wood after staining for the right finish options.

Looking to expand your knowledge on Stain? You’ll find this post helpful. What Is the Best Fence Stain?

Minwax vs. Sherwin-Williams Wood Stain Colors

If you’re comparing brands, Minwax and Sherwin-Williams both offer large stain color ranges but differ in product focus. Minwax’s standard Wood Finish is best for interior furniture, floors, and trim. Sherwin-Williams is stronger in exterior stains with products like WoodScapes and SuperDeck. For a full comparison of SW exterior stain colors and codes, see our Sherwin-Williams wood stain color chart.

Minwax vs. Rubio Monocoat: Which Wood Finish Is Right for You?

Rubio Monocoat is a hardwax oil that has become a popular alternative to traditional Minwax stain, especially for furniture and floors. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Minwax Wood Finish	Rubio Monocoat
Product type	Penetrating oil stain	Hardwax oil (stain + finish in one)
Coats needed	1–2 stain + topcoat required	1 coat covers both stain and finish
VOC content	High (oil-based)	0% VOC
Dry time	4–6 hours to topcoat	3 days to cure, 1 week full hardness
Repairability	Difficult — full strip and redo	Easy — spot repair with same product
Cost	$10–$20 per quart	$40–$80 per 350ml
Best for	Interior furniture, floors, trim	High-end furniture, floors, exterior
Color range	48 standard colors	50+ colors (more muted/natural tones)

When to choose Minwax: If you want a wide, predictable color range, fast project turnaround, and budget-friendly results on interior furniture or floors, Minwax is the better choice. It’s widely available at hardware stores and easy to find color-matched touch-up products.

When to choose Rubio Monocoat: If you’re finishing high-end furniture, want a zero-VOC product, or need easy long-term spot repairability, Rubio Monocoat is worth the higher price. It penetrates and bonds at the molecular level, leaving a natural matte look that’s hard to replicate with traditional stains.

For most DIY woodworking and home improvement projects, Minwax delivers excellent results at a fraction of the cost. Rubio Monocoat is a professional-grade finish best suited for premium work.

Linseed Oil vs. Minwax Stain: Two Different Approaches

Linseed oil and Minwax wood stain serve different purposes, though both are used on bare wood. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right product for your project.

Minwax stain adds color to wood and must be followed by a separate protective topcoat (polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish). It’s primarily a colorant, not a finish.

Boiled linseed oil (BLO) is a penetrating oil finish that protects and conditions the wood fiber. It adds a warm amber tone but doesn’t provide strong color in the way a stain does. BLO dries within 24 hours and typically requires 3 coats.

Feature	Minwax Wood Stain	Boiled Linseed Oil
Primary purpose	Add color	Condition and protect wood
Topcoat required?	Yes — always	Optional (oil self-seals)
Dry time per coat	4–6 hours	24 hours
Color effect	Wide range (48 colors)	Warm amber tint only
Best wood types	Most woods	Outdoor wood, tool handles, furniture
Safety note	Standard VOC precautions	Rags can self-combust — soak in water before disposing

You can use both on the same project: apply Minwax stain for color, let it dry completely, then finish with boiled linseed oil instead of polyurethane for a more natural, matte result. For most interior projects, a clear polyurethane topcoat over Minwax stain offers better long-term durability. If you are deciding between colorant types, our dye vs stain guide covers the key differences.

Hungry for more knowledge on Stain? You’ll find this link insightful. Can A Fiberglass Door Be Stained? The Honest Answer Inside

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular Minwax stain color?

Dark Walnut (2716) and Early American (230) are consistently Minwax’s best-sellers. Special Walnut (224) has surged in popularity after being named Minwax’s 2026 Color of the Year. For floors, Golden Oak (210B) remains a classic choice.

Can I mix Minwax stain colors?

Yes — Minwax stains from the same product line can be mixed to create custom shades. Always mix small test batches first and test on scrap wood before applying to your project. A common combination is Dark Walnut + Early American for a warmer dark brown.

How long does Minwax stain take to dry?

Minwax Wood Finish is dry to the touch in 1–2 hours and ready for a second coat or topcoat in 4–6 hours at 70°F and 50% humidity. Cold temperatures or high humidity significantly extend dry time — allow 24 hours before heavy use.

What is the difference between Minwax gel stain and regular stain?

Regular Minwax stain penetrates into the wood fiber, which gives natural-looking results on porous woods like oak. Gel stain sits on the surface and is best for non-porous or difficult woods like pine and maple that tend to absorb regular stain unevenly, causing blotchiness.

Where can I find the full Minwax color chart?

The complete Minwax color chart is available on Minwax’s official website. You can filter by stain type, wood species, and color family. Many hardware stores also carry physical sample chips for the most popular colors.