Kendall Charcoal → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Kendall Charcoal
If you love Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal but need a PPG 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 PPG, 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 PPG 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 PPG 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 PPG option is Gray Stone (PPG0997-6) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Gray Stone is a solid match in depth, though slightly less green. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Kendall Charcoal
Gray Stone is a solid match in depth, though slightly less green.
| Kendall Charcoal | Gray Stone | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 12.67 | 26 |
| Hex | #6D6D67 | #9D9B97 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Medium-Dark 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.
Gray Stone has warm medium-dark gray undertones. A warm, medium-dark gray with stone-like undertones. Deeper than Cool Concrete, with the warm, organic quality of natural stone. PPG's go-to for substantial accent grays.
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. Kendall Charcoal's warm green-gray quality may read differently than Gray Stone's warm medium-dark gray 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
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.
Gray Stone in Your Room
The stone warmth is consistent. In bright rooms, the warm gray is grounding and sophisticated. In dim rooms, it deepens into a rich, warm dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 12.67, while Gray Stone has an LRV of 26. That means Gray Stone reflects more light. If you switch from Kendall Charcoal to Gray Stone, 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.
Gray Stone is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Gray Stone in the same rooms you planned for Kendall Charcoal.
Kendall Charcoal in Other Brands
Looking for Kendall Charcoal equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) is Gray Stone (PPG0997-6) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Gray Stone is a solid match in depth, though slightly less green. 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. Gray Stone is a PPG color with warm medium-dark gray undertones and an LRV of 26. With a Delta E of 4.4, 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 4.4, 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 PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG 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.