Pewter Mug → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Behr Pewter Mug (PPU18-16), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Pewter Mug
If you love Behr Pewter Mug but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Pewter Mug (PPU18-16) is a medium-dark gray with warm gray undertones. A medium-dark warm gray. Substantial enough for accent walls, warm enough to feel inviting. Behr's answer to Chelsea Gray. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 26) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pewter Mug and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Chelsea Gray (HC-168) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Chelsea Gray is greener. Pewter Mug is more neutral warm gray. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Pewter Mug
Chelsea Gray is greener. Pewter Mug is more neutral warm gray.
| Pewter Mug | Chelsea Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 26 | 22.07 |
| Hex | #9C9892 | #9B9890 |
| Undertone | Warm Gray | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Pewter Mug has warm gray undertones. A medium-dark warm gray. Substantial enough for accent walls, warm enough to feel inviting. Behr's answer to Chelsea Gray.
Chelsea Gray has warm green-gray undertones. A rich, medium-dark gray with warm green undertones. Sophisticated and grounding without feeling oppressive.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Pewter Mug's warm gray quality may read differently than Chelsea Gray's warm green-gray character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Pewter Mug in Your Room
Reads as a warm, grounding gray in most rooms. The beige warmth keeps it from feeling cold or institutional.
Chelsea Gray in Your Room
The green undertone is most visible in bright, natural light. In dim rooms, it reads as a classic charcoal gray. Gorgeous on cabinets and accent walls.
LRV and Brightness
Pewter Mug has an LRV of 26, while Chelsea Gray has an LRV of 22.07. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Pewter Mug
Behr recommends Pewter Mug for: accent wall, cabinets, exterior, office, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 26, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Chelsea Gray is recommended for: cabinets, accent wall, office, exterior, bathroom vanity. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Pewter Mug in Other Brands
Looking for Pewter Mug equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Pewter Mug (PPU18-16) is Chelsea Gray (HC-168) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Chelsea Gray is greener. Pewter Mug is more neutral warm gray. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Pewter Mug is a Behr color with warm gray undertones and an LRV of 26. Chelsea Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 22.07. With a Delta E of 4.4, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.