Ammonite → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Farrow & Ball Ammonite (No.274), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Ammonite
If you love Farrow & Ball Ammonite but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Ammonite (No.274) is a light gray with warm stone undertones. A light, warm gray with organic, stone-like undertones. Named after the fossilized shell, it captures that natural, earthy quality. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 66) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Ammonite and every Behr 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 Behr option is Painter's White (PPU18-08) with a Delta E of 5, which is a "good match" level match. Painter's White is lighter and simpler. Ammonite's chalky organic warmth is distinctly F&B. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Ammonite
Painter's White is lighter and simpler. Ammonite's chalky organic warmth is distinctly F&B.
| Ammonite | Painter's White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 66 | 88 |
| Hex | #DAD5CD | #F1EFE9 |
| Undertone | Warm Stone | Warm Cream |
| Family | Gray | White |
Undertone Comparison
Ammonite has warm stone undertones. A light, warm gray with organic, stone-like undertones. Named after the fossilized shell, it captures that natural, earthy quality.
Painter's White has warm cream undertones. A bright, warm white with just a touch of cream. Behr's versatile go-to white for trim and whole-house applications.
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. Ammonite's warm stone quality may read differently than Painter's White's warm cream 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
Ammonite in Your Room
Reads as a soft, natural warm gray in most rooms. Less pink than many light grays. The earthy quality makes it pair beautifully with natural materials.
Painter's White in Your Room
Clean and bright in most rooms. The cream warmth is barely perceptible but keeps it from feeling stark.
LRV and Brightness
Ammonite has an LRV of 66, while Painter's White has an LRV of 88. That means Painter's White reflects more light. If you switch from Ammonite to Painter's White, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Ammonite
Farrow & Ball recommends Ammonite for: living room, bedroom, hallway, whole house, bathroom. With an LRV of 66, this is a light 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.
Painter's White is recommended for: trim, ceilings, whole house, cabinets, bathroom. 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.
Ammonite in Other Brands
Looking for Ammonite equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Ammonite (No.274) is Painter's White (PPU18-08) with a Delta E of 5, which rates as a "good match" match. Painter's White is lighter and simpler. Ammonite's chalky organic warmth is distinctly F&B. 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. Ammonite is a Farrow & Ball color with warm stone undertones and an LRV of 66. Painter's White is a Behr color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 88. With a Delta E of 5, 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, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.