Chelsea Gray → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Chelsea Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Chelsea Gray (HC-168) is a medium-dark gray with warm green-gray undertones. A rich, medium-dark gray with warm green undertones. Sophisticated and grounding without feeling oppressive. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 22.07) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Chelsea Gray and every Behr 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.
Honestly, Behr does not have a perfect equivalent for Chelsea Gray. The closest option is Silver Drop (PPU18-07) with a Delta E of 8.2, but at that distance the difference will be visible. No close Behr match in our current database. Silver Drop is much lighter. Check Behr's Pewter Mug or Anonymous for closer options. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a Behr store.
Behr Matches for Chelsea Gray
No close Behr match in our current database. Silver Drop is much lighter. Check Behr's Pewter Mug or Anonymous for closer options.
| Chelsea Gray | Silver Drop | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 22.07 | 61 |
| Hex | #9B9890 | #CFCBC3 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Gray-Beige |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Chelsea Gray has warm green-gray undertones. A rich, medium-dark gray with warm green undertones. Sophisticated and grounding without feeling oppressive.
Silver Drop has warm gray-beige undertones. A versatile light gray with warm beige undertones. Neither too warm nor too cool, it sits in comfortable neutral territory.
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. Chelsea Gray's warm green-gray quality may read differently than Silver Drop's warm gray-beige 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
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.
Silver Drop in Your Room
Reads as a light warm gray in most conditions. In very warm light, the beige undertone becomes more visible. A safe, crowd-pleasing choice.
LRV and Brightness
Chelsea Gray has an LRV of 22.07, while Silver Drop has an LRV of 61. That means Silver Drop reflects more light. If you switch from Chelsea Gray to Silver Drop, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Chelsea Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Chelsea Gray for: cabinets, accent wall, office, exterior, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 22.07, this is a medium-dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Silver Drop is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom. 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.
Chelsea Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Chelsea Gray equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Chelsea Gray (HC-168) is Silver Drop (PPU18-07) with a Delta E of 8.2, which rates as a "approximate" match. No close Behr match in our current database. Silver Drop is much lighter. Check Behr's Pewter Mug or Anonymous for closer options. 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. Chelsea Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 22.07. Silver Drop is a Behr color with warm gray-beige undertones and an LRV of 61. With a Delta E of 8.2, 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 8.2, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.