Dusty Aqua Alt → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for PPG Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Dusty Aqua Alt
If you love PPG Dusty Aqua Alt 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 PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5) is a medium-dark gray with cool dark neutral undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 22) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dusty Aqua Alt 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 Rockport Gray (HC-105) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Rockport Gray is greener. Steel Curtain is more neutral. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Dusty Aqua Alt
Rockport Gray is greener. Steel Curtain is more neutral.
| Dusty Aqua Alt | Rockport Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 22 | 29.77 |
| Hex | #92928F | #A3A199 |
| Undertone | Cool Dark Neutral | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Dusty Aqua Alt has cool dark neutral undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays.
Rockport Gray has warm green-gray undertones. A classic medium gray from the Historical Collection. Warm green undertones give it an organic quality.
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. Dusty Aqua Alt's cool dark neutral quality may read differently than Rockport Gray's warm green-gray 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
Dusty Aqua Alt in Your Room
Neutral and solid. In bright rooms, a clean dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches a sophisticated medium-dark charcoal. Does not pull warm or cool.
Rockport Gray in Your Room
The green is subtle. Reads as a warm, solid mid-tone gray in most conditions.
LRV and Brightness
Dusty Aqua Alt has an LRV of 22, while Rockport Gray has an LRV of 29.77. That means Rockport Gray reflects more light. If you switch from Dusty Aqua Alt to Rockport Gray, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Dusty Aqua Alt
PPG recommends Dusty Aqua Alt for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 22, this is a medium-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.
Rockport Gray is recommended for: exterior, living room, bedroom, office, accent wall. 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.
Dusty Aqua Alt in Other Brands
Looking for Dusty Aqua Alt equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5) is Rockport Gray (HC-105) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Rockport Gray is greener. Steel Curtain is more neutral. 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. Dusty Aqua Alt is a PPG color with cool dark neutral undertones and an LRV of 22. Rockport Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 29.77. With a Delta E of 4.4, 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 4.4, 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.