Metropolitan → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Metropolitan (AF-690), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Metropolitan
If you love Benjamin Moore Metropolitan but need a Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Metropolitan (AF-690) is a medium gray with warm taupe-gray undertones. BM's 2019 Color of the Year. A soft, warm gray with purple-taupe undertones. Sophisticated and calming. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 50.37) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Metropolitan and every Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams option is Repose Gray (SW 7015) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Repose Gray shares the purple-warm quality. Close match. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Metropolitan
Repose Gray shares the purple-warm quality. Close match.
| Metropolitan | Repose Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 50.37 | 58 |
| Hex | #C4C0BB | #CCC7C1 |
| Undertone | Warm Taupe-Gray | Warm Purple-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Metropolitan has warm taupe-gray undertones. BM's 2019 Color of the Year. A soft, warm gray with purple-taupe undertones. Sophisticated and calming.
Repose Gray has warm purple-gray undertones. A warm light gray with subtle purple-taupe undertones. Reads as a true gray in most conditions but avoids feeling cold or stark.
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
Metropolitan in Your Room
The purple-taupe warmth is gentle. In bright light, it reads as a soft warm gray. In dim rooms, the warmth provides a cozy feel.
Repose Gray in Your Room
The purple undertone is most visible in bright, cool light. In warm or dim light, it reads as a clean warm gray. Pairs well with both warm and cool accents.
LRV and Brightness
Metropolitan has an LRV of 50.37, while Repose Gray has an LRV of 58. That means Repose Gray reflects more light. If you switch from Metropolitan to Repose Gray, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Metropolitan
Benjamin Moore recommends Metropolitan for: living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room, whole house. With an LRV of 50.37, this is a medium 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.
Repose Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom, whole house. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Repose Gray in the same rooms you planned for Metropolitan.
Metropolitan in Other Brands
Looking for Metropolitan equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Metropolitan (AF-690) is Repose Gray (SW 7015) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Repose Gray shares the purple-warm quality. Close match. 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. Metropolitan is a Benjamin Moore color with warm taupe-gray undertones and an LRV of 50.37. Repose Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm purple-gray undertones and an LRV of 58. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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 Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams 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.