Passive → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Sherwin Williams Passive (SW 7064), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Passive
If you love Sherwin Williams Passive but need a Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Passive (SW 7064) is a light gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning gray with minimal undertone. One of SW's most truly neutral grays. Less warm than Repose, less cool than some blue-grays. To find a good Farrow & Ball 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 Passive and every Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball match for Passive. Dimpse (No.277) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Dimpse is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 60. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Passive
Dimpse is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 60. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
| Passive | Dimpse | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 60 | 60 |
| Hex | #CBCBC8 | #D1D0CC |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Passive has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning gray with minimal undertone. One of SW's most truly neutral grays. Less warm than Repose, less cool than some blue-grays.
Dimpse has cool neutral gray undertones. A light, cool neutral gray. Named for twilight. Clean and atmospheric.
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
Passive in Your Room
Reads as a clean, balanced gray in most rooms. In warm light, it stays neutral without pulling warm. In cool light, it can feel slightly cool. Very versatile.
Dimpse in Your Room
Cool and balanced. Reads as a clean, modern light gray.
LRV and Brightness
Passive has an LRV of 60, while Dimpse 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 Passive
Sherwin Williams recommends Passive for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, office. 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.
Dimpse is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, living room, office. 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.
Passive in Other Brands
Looking for Passive equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Passive (SW 7064) is Dimpse (No.277) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Dimpse is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 60. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth. 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. Passive is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 60. Dimpse is a Farrow & Ball color with cool neutral gray 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 Farrow & Ball equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Farrow & Ball. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Farrow & Ball 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.