Thunder → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Thunder (AF-685-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Thunder
If you love Benjamin Moore Thunder but need a Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Thunder (AF-685-2) is a medium gray with warm greige undertones. A warm medium greige. Balanced and sophisticated. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 48.22) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Thunder and every Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams option is Mindful Gray (SW 7016) with a Delta E of 4.1, which is a "good match" level match. Mindful Gray is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Thunder
Mindful Gray is close.
| Thunder | Mindful Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 48.22 | 48 |
| Hex | #C3BDB4 | #BFBAB2 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Greige |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Thunder has warm greige undertones. A warm medium greige. Balanced and sophisticated.
Mindful Gray has warm greige undertones. A medium gray with warm beige undertones. Darker and more substantial than Agreeable Gray, but with a similar warm-neutral quality.
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
Thunder in Your Room
Warm and grounding. A reliable medium neutral.
Mindful Gray in Your Room
Reads as a true medium gray in most rooms. The warmth prevents it from feeling cold. In bright light, the beige undertone is more visible.
LRV and Brightness
Thunder has an LRV of 48.22, while Mindful Gray has an LRV of 48. 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 Thunder
Benjamin Moore recommends Thunder for: living room, bedroom, office, hallway. With an LRV of 48.22, this is a medium 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.
Mindful Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, office, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Mindful Gray in the same rooms you planned for Thunder.
Thunder in Other Brands
Looking for Thunder equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Thunder (AF-685-2) is Mindful Gray (SW 7016) with a Delta E of 4.1, which rates as a "good match" match. Mindful Gray is close. 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. Thunder is a Benjamin Moore color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 48.22. Mindful Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 48. With a Delta E of 4.1, 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 4.1, 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 Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams 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.