Down Pipe → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Farrow & Ball Down Pipe (No.26), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Down Pipe
If you love Farrow & Ball Down Pipe 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.
Down Pipe (No.26) is a dark gray with warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm dark gray with subtle green undertones. Softer and warmer than Railings, less blue than Off-Black. A classic F&B dark neutral. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 10) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Down Pipe 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 Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) with a Delta E of 4.2, which is a "good match" level match. Kendall Charcoal is the closest BM match. Both are warm dark grays with green undertones. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Down Pipe
Kendall Charcoal is the closest BM match. Both are warm dark grays with green undertones.
| Down Pipe | Kendall Charcoal | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 10 | 12.67 |
| Hex | #5F5D58 | #6D6D67 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Down Pipe has warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm dark gray with subtle green undertones. Softer and warmer than Railings, less blue than Off-Black. A classic F&B dark neutral.
Kendall Charcoal has warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black.
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
Down Pipe in Your Room
In bright light, the warm green character is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated dark charcoal. Less dramatic than black but with real presence.
Kendall Charcoal in Your Room
Reads as a rich charcoal in most rooms. The green undertone shows in very bright light. Pairs beautifully with warm whites and brass accents.
LRV and Brightness
Down Pipe has an LRV of 10, while Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 12.67. 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 Down Pipe
Farrow & Ball recommends Down Pipe for: front door, accent wall, cabinets, exterior, powder room. With an LRV of 10, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Kendall Charcoal is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, front door, office, powder room. 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.
Down Pipe in Other Brands
Looking for Down Pipe equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Down Pipe (No.26) is Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) with a Delta E of 4.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Kendall Charcoal is the closest BM match. Both are warm dark grays with green undertones. 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. Down Pipe is a Farrow & Ball color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 10. Kendall Charcoal is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 12.67. With a Delta E of 4.2, 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 4.2, 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.