Kendall Charcoal → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Kendall Charcoal
If you love Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal 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.
Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) is a dark gray with warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 12.67) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Kendall Charcoal 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 Manor House Gray (No.265) with a Delta E of 5.2, which is a "good match" level match. Manor House Gray is similar in depth but more purely gray. Kendall Charcoal's warm green undertone is hard to find in F&B's range. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Kendall Charcoal
Manor House Gray is similar in depth but more purely gray. Kendall Charcoal's warm green undertone is hard to find in F&B's range.
| Kendall Charcoal | Manor House Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 12.67 | 19 |
| Hex | #6D6D67 | #8A8883 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Kendall Charcoal has warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black.
Manor House Gray has warm green-gray undertones. A medium-dark gray with warm green undertones. Dignified and stately. A classic F&B neutral.
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
Kendall Charcoal in Your Room
Reads as a rich charcoal in most rooms. The green undertone shows in very bright light. Pairs beautifully with warm whites and brass accents.
Manor House Gray in Your Room
In bright light, the green lean shows. In dim rooms, a warm, sophisticated medium-dark gray.
LRV and Brightness
Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 12.67, while Manor House Gray has an LRV of 19. That means Manor House Gray reflects more light. If you switch from Kendall Charcoal to Manor House Gray, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Kendall Charcoal
Benjamin Moore recommends Kendall Charcoal for: accent wall, exterior, front door, office, powder room. With an LRV of 12.67, 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.
Manor House Gray is recommended for: living room, office, accent wall, hallway, exterior. 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.
Kendall Charcoal in Other Brands
Looking for Kendall Charcoal equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) is Manor House Gray (No.265) with a Delta E of 5.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Manor House Gray is similar in depth but more purely gray. Kendall Charcoal's warm green undertone is hard to find in F&B's range. 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. Kendall Charcoal is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 12.67. Manor House Gray is a Farrow & Ball color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 19. With a Delta E of 5.2, 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 5.2, 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 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.