Calamine → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Farrow & Ball Calamine (No.230), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Calamine
If you love Farrow & Ball Calamine but need a Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Calamine (No.230) is a medium pink with soft pink-gray undertones. A soft, sophisticated pink-gray. Named for the soothing lotion, it carries the same calming quality. More grown-up and restrained than a typical pink. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 56) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Calamine and every Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore option is Classic Gray (OC-23) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Classic Gray has similar pink undertones but is lighter. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Calamine
Classic Gray has similar pink undertones but is lighter.
| Calamine | Classic Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 56 | 74.78 |
| Hex | #CFC7C4 | #E4DFD6 |
| Undertone | Soft Pink-Gray | Warm Pink-Gray |
| Family | Pink | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Calamine has soft pink-gray undertones. A soft, sophisticated pink-gray. Named for the soothing lotion, it carries the same calming quality. More grown-up and restrained than a typical pink.
Classic Gray has warm pink-gray undertones. An extremely light gray with warm pink-beige undertones. Reads more as a warm off-white than a true gray in most situations.
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
Calamine in Your Room
The pink is very subtle. In most rooms reads as a warm gray with pink warmth. In cool north light, the pink shows more. Sophisticated and calming.
Classic Gray in Your Room
The pink can emerge in north-facing rooms. In bright, warm light it reads as a soft warm neutral. One of the lightest grays BM offers.
LRV and Brightness
Calamine has an LRV of 56, while Classic Gray has an LRV of 74.78. That means Classic Gray reflects more light. If you switch from Calamine to Classic Gray, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Calamine
Farrow & Ball recommends Calamine for: bedroom, bathroom, nursery, living room, hallway. With an LRV of 56, 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.
Classic Gray is recommended for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, 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.
Calamine in Other Brands
Looking for Calamine equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Calamine (No.230) is Classic Gray (OC-23) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Classic Gray has similar pink undertones but is lighter. 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. Calamine is a Farrow & Ball color with soft pink-gray undertones and an LRV of 56. Classic Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm pink-gray undertones and an LRV of 74.78. With a Delta E of 4.8, 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 4.8, 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 Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore 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.