Edgecomb Gray → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (HC-173), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Edgecomb Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Edgecomb 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.
Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) is a light greige with warm beige undertones. A light, airy greige that sits between Revere Pewter and Pale Oak in depth. Warm without being heavy, with balanced beige-gray undertones. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 63.88) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Edgecomb 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Farrow & Ball option is Drop Cloth (No.283) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Drop Cloth is close in warmth and lightness but has more visible beige than Edgecomb Gray's balanced greige. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Edgecomb Gray
Drop Cloth is close in warmth and lightness but has more visible beige than Edgecomb Gray's balanced greige.
| Edgecomb Gray | Drop Cloth | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 63.88 | 53 |
| Hex | #DAD2C4 | #CCC2B2 |
| Undertone | Warm Beige | Warm Linen Beige |
| Family | Greige | Beige |
Undertone Comparison
Edgecomb Gray has warm beige undertones. A light, airy greige that sits between Revere Pewter and Pale Oak in depth. Warm without being heavy, with balanced beige-gray undertones.
Drop Cloth has warm linen beige undertones. A warm, linen-like beige. The color of natural canvas. Organic and earthy.
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
Edgecomb Gray in Your Room
One of the more versatile greiges. Reads warm in cool light and stays neutral in warm light. Less likely to pull green than Revere Pewter.
Drop Cloth in Your Room
Warm and natural. Reads as a warm, organic beige.
LRV and Brightness
Edgecomb Gray has an LRV of 63.88, while Drop Cloth has an LRV of 53. That means Edgecomb Gray reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Edgecomb Gray will make the space feel brighter and more open than Drop Cloth. If you are switching to the Farrow & Ball option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Edgecomb Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Edgecomb Gray for: living room, bedroom, hallway, open floor plan, whole house. With an LRV of 63.88, 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.
Drop Cloth is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway, kitchen. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Drop Cloth in the same rooms you planned for Edgecomb Gray.
Edgecomb Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Edgecomb 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 Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) is Drop Cloth (No.283) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Drop Cloth is close in warmth and lightness but has more visible beige than Edgecomb Gray's balanced greige. 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. Edgecomb Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm beige undertones and an LRV of 63.88. Drop Cloth is a Farrow & Ball color with warm linen beige undertones and an LRV of 53. With a Delta E of 4, 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 4, 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.