Agreeable Gray vs Pale Oak
A side-by-side comparison of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) and Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20).
| Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray | Benjamin Moore Pale Oak | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | SW 7029 | OC-20 |
| Hex |
#D1CBC1
|
#E0D7C9
|
| RGB | 209, 203, 193 | 224, 215, 201 |
| LRV | 60 | 69.89 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Pink-Beige |
| Family | Greige | Greige |
| Best Rooms | Whole House, Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Open Floor Plan | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Open Floor Plan, Whole House |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60 (light) and Pale Oak has an LRV of 69.89 (light). Pale Oak will make a room feel noticeably brighter.
The Full Comparison
The cross-brand greige showdown that homeowners agonize over. Agreeable Gray (SW) is a balanced, crowd-pleasing greige that stays neutral in almost any light. Pale Oak (BM) is lighter with subtle pink-beige undertones that give it a softer, more organic warmth. In a home with warm oak floors, Agreeable Gray complements without competing. Pale Oak's pink lean can either harmonize beautifully or clash with orange-toned wood, so testing is essential. For open floor plans where you need one color everywhere, Agreeable Gray's neutrality gives it the edge. For bedrooms and intimate spaces, Pale Oak's softness feels more inviting.
Agreeable Gray Undertones
The quintessential greige. Balanced between gray and beige with warm undertones that keep it from feeling cold. One of the most popular paint colors in America for good reason.
Pale Oak Undertones
A light greige with subtle pink-beige undertones. Warmer and softer than many grays, without crossing into obviously beige territory.
Lighting Behavior
Agreeable Gray: Remarkably adaptable across lighting conditions. In bright light, the gray side shows more. In dim or warm light, the beige warmth comes forward. Works in virtually any room.
Pale Oak: The pink undertone is most visible in north-facing rooms or under cool light. In warm, sunny rooms it reads as a neutral warm off-white. Pairs beautifully with White Dove on trim.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Agreeable Gray (Sherwin Williams) and Pale Oak (Benjamin Moore) are not the same color. They're in the same family (greige), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Agreeable Gray has warm greige undertones, while Pale Oak has warm pink-beige undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Pale Oak is lighter with an LRV of 69.89, compared to Agreeable Gray's LRV of 60. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
That's a popular combination. Using the darker Agreeable Gray (LRV 60) on walls and the lighter Pale Oak (LRV 69.89) on trim creates a classic contrast that makes the trim pop.