Rare Gray → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Rare Gray (SW 6199), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Rare Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Rare 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.
Rare Gray (SW 6199) is a medium gray with cool neutral undertones. A light, neutral gray with minimal undertone. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 52) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Rare 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 Nantucket Fog (AC-22) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Nantucket Fog is similar. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Rare Gray
Nantucket Fog is similar.
| Rare Gray | Nantucket Fog | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 52 | 52.37 |
| Hex | #C6C5C0 | #C3C4C1 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral | Cool Neutral |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Rare Gray has cool neutral undertones. A light, neutral gray with minimal undertone.
Nantucket Fog has cool neutral undertones. A light-medium cool gray with almost no undertone. One of the most truly neutral grays in the BM lineup.
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
Rare Gray in Your Room
Clean and neutral. Does not pull warm or cool.
Nantucket Fog in Your Room
Remarkably clean in all lighting. Does not pull warm, cool, pink, green, or purple. Just gray. A designer's dream for clean modern spaces.
LRV and Brightness
Rare Gray has an LRV of 52, while Nantucket Fog has an LRV of 52.37. 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 Rare Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Rare Gray for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office. With an LRV of 52, this is a medium 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.
Nantucket Fog is recommended for: living room, bedroom, office, hallway, bathroom. 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.
Rare Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Rare 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 Rare Gray (SW 6199) is Nantucket Fog (AC-22) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Nantucket Fog is similar. 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. Rare Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral undertones and an LRV of 52. Nantucket Fog is a Benjamin Moore color with cool neutral undertones and an LRV of 52.37. With a Delta E of 3.4, 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 3.4, 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.