Cromarty → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Farrow & Ball Cromarty (No.285), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Cromarty
If you love Farrow & Ball Cromarty 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 Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Cromarty (No.285) is a light green with soft green undertones. A light, fresh green-gray named for the Scottish firth. Clean and calming. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 60) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cromarty 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 Cromarty. Misty Aqua (PPG1147-3) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Misty Aqua is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Cromarty
Misty Aqua is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
| Cromarty | Misty Aqua | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 60 | 60 |
| Hex | #CDD5CD | #C9D7D0 |
| Undertone | Soft Green | Soft Aqua-Green |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Cromarty has soft green undertones. A light, fresh green-gray named for the Scottish firth. Clean and calming.
Misty Aqua has soft aqua-green undertones. A soft, misty aqua-green. Lighter and more delicate than Dusty Aqua. Like morning mist over a still pond. PPG's gentlest blue-green option for bathrooms and bedrooms.
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. Cromarty's soft green quality may read differently than Misty Aqua's soft aqua-green 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
Cromarty in Your Room
The green is soft and pleasant. In cool rooms, it reads as a green-tinged gray. In warm rooms, more purely green.
Misty Aqua in Your Room
The aqua-green is whisper-soft. In bright rooms, the green and blue play together beautifully. In dim rooms, it reads as a cool, calming neutral. Always serene.
LRV and Brightness
Cromarty has an LRV of 60, while Misty Aqua has an LRV of 60. 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 Cromarty
Farrow & Ball recommends Cromarty for: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, nursery, hallway. With an LRV of 60, 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.
Misty Aqua is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, sunroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Misty Aqua in the same rooms you planned for Cromarty.
Cromarty in Other Brands
Looking for Cromarty equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Cromarty (No.285) is Misty Aqua (PPG1147-3) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Misty Aqua is the closest PPG option. 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. Cromarty is a Farrow & Ball color with soft green undertones and an LRV of 60. Misty Aqua is a PPG color with soft aqua-green undertones and an LRV of 60. 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.