Balboa Mist → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist (OC-27), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Balboa Mist
If you love Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist but need a PPG 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 PPG, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Balboa Mist (OC-27) is a light greige with warm pink-beige undertones. A soft, warm greige similar to Pale Oak but with slightly more pink warmth. Lighter and airier than Revere Pewter. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 67.37) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Balboa Mist and every PPG 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 PPG option is Thin Ice (PPG0999-2) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Thin Ice is a good PPG equivalent. Both are delicate, light warm grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Balboa Mist
Thin Ice is a good PPG equivalent. Both are delicate, light warm grays.
| Balboa Mist | Thin Ice | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 67.37 | 64 |
| Hex | #DCD5CA | #D4D4D1 |
| Undertone | Warm Pink-Beige | Cool Light Gray |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Balboa Mist has warm pink-beige undertones. A soft, warm greige similar to Pale Oak but with slightly more pink warmth. Lighter and airier than Revere Pewter.
Thin Ice has cool light gray undertones. A very light, cool gray with minimal undertone. Like a thin sheet of ice over still water. Clean, modern, and barely there. PPG's answer to the ultra-light gray trend.
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. Balboa Mist's warm pink-beige quality may read differently than Thin Ice's cool light 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
Balboa Mist in Your Room
Reads as a soft, warm neutral in most lighting. The pink comes forward in north-facing rooms. In bright south light, it looks like a warm off-white.
Thin Ice in Your Room
In bright rooms, nearly white with the faintest gray depth. In dim rooms, the gray becomes slightly more apparent. Stays neutral without pulling warm or cool.
LRV and Brightness
Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67.37, while Thin Ice has an LRV of 64. 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 Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore recommends Balboa Mist for: living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom, whole house. With an LRV of 67.37, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Thin Ice is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, whole house, office. 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.
Balboa Mist in Other Brands
Looking for Balboa Mist equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Balboa Mist (OC-27) is Thin Ice (PPG0999-2) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Thin Ice is a good PPG equivalent. Both are delicate, light warm grays. 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. Balboa Mist is a Benjamin Moore color with warm pink-beige undertones and an LRV of 67.37. Thin Ice is a PPG color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 64. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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 PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG 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.