Paint Color Lab Boothbay Gray BM HC-165
Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray (HC-165) has an LRV of 43.26 and a close match in Behr Watery (HDC-CT-26).
- LRV
- 43.26light reflectance, 0–100
- Undertone
- Subtle cool (blue)calculated from Lab
- Hex
- #AAB2B0
- RGB
- 170, 178, 176
- CIE Lab
- 71.9 / -3.2 / 0.1D65, from hex
- Depth
- Mid-tone
Closest matches to Boothbay Gray in other brands
Ranked by CIEDE2000 colour difference (ΔE). Under 1 is near-identical; under 2 is hard to tell apart on a wall.
| Color | Brand | LRV | ΔE 2000 | How close |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watery Behr HDC-CT-26 | Behr | 49 | 3.9 | close, visible side by side |
| Flagstone PPG 1001-4 | PPG | 41 | 3.9 | close, visible side by side |
| Oyster Bay SW 6206 | Sherwin-Williams | 44 | 3.9 | close, visible side by side |
| Blue Arrow Valspar 5001-3C | Valspar | 39.43 | 4.2 | similar, clearly different |
| Granite Dust Valspar 5006-1C | Valspar | 48.11 | 4.4 | similar, clearly different |
| Ellie Gray SW 7650 | Sherwin-Williams | 40 | 4.8 | similar, clearly different |
| Whirlwind PPG 1013-3 | PPG | 53 | 5.8 | similar, clearly different |
| Natural Gray Behr PPU18-10 | Behr | 53 | 7.3 | same family only |
Matches come from the 190 colors in our database so far, not from every color each brand makes. Try the color matcher for any hex code.
Boothbay Gray on a wall
About Boothbay Gray
Boothbay Gray LRV and undertone
Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray (HC-165) has an LRV of 43.26 and is classified as a mid-tone color. Light reflectance value measures how much visible light a paint color reflects. This value indicates less reflectance than a light neutral, so Boothbay Gray may have a greater effect on perceived room brightness. Its color family is gray, with a subtle cool blue undertone calculated from Lab values. That undertone can become more apparent beside warm beige finishes or under lighting that emphasizes cooler colors. North-facing daylight may reinforce its cool character, while warmer southern daylight can balance it. Before painting a full room, compare a sample with trim, flooring, and other large surfaces.
Boothbay Gray in other brands
Behr Watery (HDC-CT-26) has an LRV of 49.0 and ΔE 3.9. PPG Flagstone (PPG1001-4) has an LRV of 41.0 and the same ΔE of 3.9. Sherwin-Williams Oyster Bay (SW 6206) also measures ΔE 3.9, with an LRV of 44.0. All three are close matches, although their differences remain visible when compared side by side. Valspar Blue Arrow (5001-3C), with an LRV of 39.43 and ΔE 4.2, is only similar by the stated thresholds. These measurements help compare color appearance, but they do not establish identical formulations or finishes. Test samples in the intended room to evaluate the differences under its lighting.
Lighter and darker Benjamin Moore alternatives
Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray (HC-169) has an LRV of 48.18, making it lighter than Boothbay Gray. Its ΔE of 3.8 indicates a close match with a visible difference beside the original. Benjamin Moore Metropolitan (AF-690), at LRV 49.96 and ΔE 4.1, is also lighter, though only similar by ΔE. These higher-LRV alternatives may help preserve more reflected light. Benjamin Moore Smoke (2122-40) has an LRV of 56.39, making it substantially lighter, with ΔE 6.1. Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue (HC-143), at LRV 48.11 and ΔE 6.8, is also lighter by LRV, but its color is only similar to Boothbay Gray. For lower reflectance than Boothbay Gray, the supplied same-brand alternatives do not include a darker option. Compare swatches at different times of day before deciding.
Before you buy, compare a physical sample with the swatch on Benjamin Moore’s page for Boothbay Gray.
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Hex, RGB and LRV (LRV published; RGB read from the on-screen swatch) from Benjamin Moore's page for this color, checked October 24, 2026. Lab, undertone and ΔE are our calculations. Not affiliated with Benjamin Moore. See how we measure colors.