Intellectual Gray → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Intellectual Gray (SW 7045), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Intellectual Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Intellectual Gray 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 Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Intellectual Gray (SW 7045) is a medium-dark greige with warm greige undertones. A rich medium greige with warm earthy undertones. Grounding and sophisticated. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 36) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Intellectual Gray 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 Stone Hearth (984) with a Delta E of 4.1, which is a "good match" level match. Stone Hearth is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Intellectual Gray
Stone Hearth is close.
| Intellectual Gray | Stone Hearth | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 36 | 42.27 |
| Hex | #B1ABA2 | #BBB2A6 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Stone-Taupe |
| Family | Greige | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Intellectual Gray has warm greige undertones. A rich medium greige with warm earthy undertones. Grounding and sophisticated.
Stone Hearth has warm stone-taupe undertones. A warm taupe with earthy stone undertones. Deeper and richer than Edgecomb Gray. Natural and grounding.
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
Intellectual Gray in Your Room
Warm and substantial. Reads as a rich greige with presence.
Stone Hearth in Your Room
Reads as a warm, earthy medium neutral. The stone quality gives rooms a natural, organic feel.
LRV and Brightness
Intellectual Gray has an LRV of 36, while Stone Hearth has an LRV of 42.27. That means Stone Hearth reflects more light. If you switch from Intellectual Gray to Stone Hearth, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Intellectual Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Intellectual Gray for: living room, bedroom, dining room, accent wall, office. With an LRV of 36, this is a medium-dark 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.
Stone Hearth is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Stone Hearth in the same rooms you planned for Intellectual Gray.
Intellectual Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Intellectual Gray equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Intellectual Gray (SW 7045) is Stone Hearth (984) with a Delta E of 4.1, which rates as a "good match" match. Stone Hearth is close. 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. Intellectual Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 36. Stone Hearth is a Benjamin Moore color with warm stone-taupe undertones and an LRV of 42.27. With a Delta E of 4.1, 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 4.1, 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.