Soft Fern → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Benjamin Moore Soft Fern (2144-40), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Soft Fern
If you love Benjamin Moore Soft Fern 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.
Soft Fern (2144-40) is a medium-dark green with soft fern green undertones. A muted fern green with gray undertones. Organic and calming. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 34.88) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Soft Fern 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 good news: there is a strong PPG match for Soft Fern. Dusty Miller Alt 2 (PPG1133-4) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Dusty Miller Alt 2 is the closest PPG option at LRV 35. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Soft Fern
Dusty Miller Alt 2 is the closest PPG option at LRV 35. Very close match.
| Soft Fern | Dusty Miller Alt 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 34.88 | 35 |
| Hex | #ACB7A5 | #ABB4A8 |
| Undertone | Soft Fern Green | Soft Willow Green |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Soft Fern has soft fern green undertones. A muted fern green with gray undertones. Organic and calming.
Dusty Miller Alt 2 has soft willow green undertones. A soft green named for the graceful willow tree. Between Olive Sprig and Dusty Miller in depth. Calming and organic.
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
Soft Fern in Your Room
The green is soft and natural. In dim rooms, reads as a green-tinged warm gray.
Dusty Miller Alt 2 in Your Room
The green is soft and organic. In bright rooms, a gentle sage. In dim rooms, a warm green-gray.
LRV and Brightness
Soft Fern has an LRV of 34.88, while Dusty Miller Alt 2 has an LRV of 35. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Soft Fern
Benjamin Moore recommends Soft Fern for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, office. With an LRV of 34.88, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Dusty Miller Alt 2 is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, 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.
Soft Fern in Other Brands
Looking for Soft Fern equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Soft Fern (2144-40) is Dusty Miller Alt 2 (PPG1133-4) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Dusty Miller Alt 2 is the closest PPG option at LRV 35. Very 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. Soft Fern is a Benjamin Moore color with soft fern green undertones and an LRV of 34.88. Dusty Miller Alt 2 is a PPG color with soft willow green undertones and an LRV of 35. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. 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 2, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
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.