Dragon's Breath → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath (1547), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Dragon's Breath
If you love Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath 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.
Dragon's Breath (1547) is a dark brown with deep warm brown undertones. A deep, rich warm brown with the intensity its name suggests. Not a black-brown but a true chocolate-espresso tone. Bold and warming. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 6.88) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dragon's Breath 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Farrow & Ball option is London Stone (No.6) with a Delta E of 5, which is a "good match" level match. London Stone is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 17. Similar character with F&B's chalky complexity, though some difference is visible. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Dragon's Breath
London Stone is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 17. Similar character with F&B's chalky complexity, though some difference is visible.
| Dragon's Breath | London Stone | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 6.88 | 17 |
| Hex | #53483F | #8B8378 |
| Undertone | Deep Warm Brown | Warm London Stone |
| Family | Brown | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Dragon's Breath has deep warm brown undertones. A deep, rich warm brown with the intensity its name suggests. Not a black-brown but a true chocolate-espresso tone. Bold and warming.
London Stone has warm london stone undertones. A warm, earthy taupe named for the ancient stone of London. Rich and grounding, darker than Mouse's Back. The color of centuries-old masonry.
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
Dragon's Breath in Your Room
In bright light, the rich brown is visible and appealing. In dim rooms, a warm near-black. Under warm light, the chocolate quality emerges.
London Stone in Your Room
Warm and grounding at a substantial depth. In bright rooms, the earthy warmth shows. In dim rooms, cozy and atmospheric.
LRV and Brightness
Dragon's Breath has an LRV of 6.88, while London Stone has an LRV of 17. That means London Stone reflects more light. If you switch from Dragon's Breath to London Stone, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Dragon's Breath
Benjamin Moore recommends Dragon's Breath for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, cabinets, powder room. With an LRV of 6.88, this is a 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.
London Stone is recommended for: living room, dining room, accent wall, study, 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.
Dragon's Breath in Other Brands
Looking for Dragon's Breath equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Dragon's Breath (1547) is London Stone (No.6) with a Delta E of 5, which rates as a "good match" match. London Stone is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 17. Similar character with F&B's chalky complexity, though some difference is visible. 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. Dragon's Breath is a Benjamin Moore color with deep warm brown undertones and an LRV of 6.88. London Stone is a Farrow & Ball color with warm london stone undertones and an LRV of 17. With a Delta E of 5, 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 5, 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 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.