Pavilion Gray → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray (No.242), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Pavilion Gray
If you love Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray 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.
Pavilion Gray (No.242) is a medium gray with warm pink-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm pink-mauve undertones. More substantial than Ammonite, with the subtle warmth Farrow & Ball is known for. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 44) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pavilion Gray 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 Studio Taupe (PPU5-06) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Studio Taupe is the closest Behr option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Pavilion Gray
Studio Taupe is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| Pavilion Gray | Studio Taupe | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 44 | 45 |
| Hex | #BDB8B5 | #B9AEA0 |
| Undertone | Warm Pink-Gray | Warm Taupe |
| Family | Gray | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Pavilion Gray has warm pink-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm pink-mauve undertones. More substantial than Ammonite, with the subtle warmth Farrow & Ball is known for.
Studio Taupe has warm taupe undertones. A rich, warm taupe with balanced beige-gray undertones. Darker and warmer than Silver Drop, with more presence on the wall.
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. Pavilion Gray's warm pink-gray quality may read differently than Studio Taupe's warm taupe 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
Pavilion Gray in Your Room
The pink-mauve shows in cooler light and north-facing rooms. In warm light, it reads as a balanced mid-gray. Elegant and sophisticated.
Studio Taupe in Your Room
Reads as a warm, medium neutral in most rooms. The warmth is consistent and reliable. A strong choice for feature walls and cozy spaces.
LRV and Brightness
Pavilion Gray has an LRV of 44, while Studio Taupe has an LRV of 45. 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 Pavilion Gray
Farrow & Ball recommends Pavilion Gray for: living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway, office. With an LRV of 44, this is a medium color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Studio Taupe is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, accent wall, hallway. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Studio Taupe in the same rooms you planned for Pavilion Gray.
Pavilion Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Pavilion Gray equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Pavilion Gray (No.242) is Studio Taupe (PPU5-06) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Studio Taupe is the closest Behr option. Similar character. 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. Pavilion Gray is a Farrow & Ball color with warm pink-gray undertones and an LRV of 44. Studio Taupe is a Behr color with warm taupe undertones and an LRV of 45. With a Delta E of 3.7, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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 3.7, 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.