Boothbay Gray → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray (HC-165), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Boothbay Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray but need a Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Boothbay Gray (HC-165) is a medium-dark blue with soft blue-gray undertones. A soft, coastal blue-gray from the Historical Collection. Named for the Maine harbor town. Lighter and more approachable than Van Deusen Blue, with a nautical charm that works in both coastal and contemporary homes. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 34.54) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Boothbay Gray and every Farrow & Ball 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 good news: there is a strong Farrow & Ball match for Boothbay Gray. Blue Ground (No.210) comes in with a Delta E of 2.1, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Blue Ground is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 35. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Boothbay Gray
Blue Ground is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 35. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
| Boothbay Gray | Blue Ground | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 34.54 | 35 |
| Hex | #ACB7B8 | #A9B9B9 |
| Undertone | Soft Blue-Gray | Historic Blue-Gray |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Boothbay Gray has soft blue-gray undertones. A soft, coastal blue-gray from the Historical Collection. Named for the Maine harbor town. Lighter and more approachable than Van Deusen Blue, with a nautical charm that works in both coastal and contemporary homes.
Blue Ground has historic blue-gray undertones. A historic blue-gray named for the blue ground used in gilding. More blue than Pigeon, lighter than De Nimes. Refined and versatile.
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
Boothbay Gray in Your Room
In bright light, the blue is soft and present. In dim rooms, the gray calms it into a sophisticated neutral. The coastal quality makes it feel fresh and relaxed in any setting.
Blue Ground in Your Room
In bright rooms, the blue is soft and present. In dim rooms, a sophisticated cool gray. Under warm light, the blue calms.
LRV and Brightness
Boothbay Gray has an LRV of 34.54, while Blue Ground has an LRV of 35. 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 Boothbay Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Boothbay Gray for: bedroom, bathroom, living room, hallway, kitchen. With an LRV of 34.54, 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.
Blue Ground is recommended for: bedroom, living room, bathroom, hallway, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Blue Ground in the same rooms you planned for Boothbay Gray.
Boothbay Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Boothbay Gray equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Boothbay Gray (HC-165) is Blue Ground (No.210) with a Delta E of 2.1, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Blue Ground is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 35. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth. 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. Boothbay Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with soft blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 34.54. Blue Ground is a Farrow & Ball color with historic blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 35. With a Delta E of 2.1, 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 2.1, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Farrow & Ball equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Farrow & Ball. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Farrow & Ball 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.