Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Pewter Tray

If you love Behr Pewter Tray 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 Tray (PPU18-14-2) is a medium-dark gray with cool pewter gray undertones. A cool, pewter-toned mid-tone gray. Clean and balanced. Between Evening Hush and Pewter Mug in depth. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 27) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pewter Tray 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 Smoked Oyster (2109-40) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Smoked Oyster is similar. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.

Benjamin Moore Matches for Pewter Tray

Smoked Oyster 2109-40
Good match · ΔE 4

Smoked Oyster is similar.

Pewter TraySmoked Oyster
LRV2734.66
Hex#A19F9B#AFACA6
UndertoneCool Pewter GrayCool Neutral Gray
FamilyGrayGray

Undertone Comparison

Pewter Tray has cool pewter gray undertones. A cool, pewter-toned mid-tone gray. Clean and balanced. Between Evening Hush and Pewter Mug in depth.

Smoked Oyster has cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, balanced mid-tone gray. Named for the delicacy. Neutral and reliable without strong undertone pulls.

These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.

How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting

Pewter Tray in Your Room

Cool and neutral. Reads as a balanced gray. Does not pull warm or cool strongly.

Smoked Oyster in Your Room

Neutral and clean. Does not pull warm or cool strongly. Simply a solid mid-tone gray.

LRV and Brightness

Pewter Tray has an LRV of 27, while Smoked Oyster has an LRV of 34.66. That means Smoked Oyster reflects more light. If you switch from Pewter Tray to Smoked Oyster, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.

Best Rooms for Pewter Tray

Behr recommends Pewter Tray for: bathroom, office, hallway, bedroom, living room. With an LRV of 27, 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.

Smoked Oyster is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Smoked Oyster in the same rooms you planned for Pewter Tray.

Pewter Tray in Other Brands

Looking for Pewter Tray 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 Tray (PPU18-14-2) is Smoked Oyster (2109-40) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Smoked Oyster is similar. 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 Tray is a Behr color with cool pewter gray undertones and an LRV of 27. Smoked Oyster is a Benjamin Moore color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 34.66. With a Delta E of 4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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, 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.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.