Smoky Slate → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Behr Smoky Slate (PPU25-18), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Smoky Slate
If you love Behr Smoky Slate 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 Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Smoky Slate (PPU25-18) is a dark gray with cool dark charcoal undertones. A cool, dark charcoal with minimal undertone. Behr's cleanest dark gray. Serious and commanding without the warmth of Porpoise or the brown of Mineral. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 8) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Smoky Slate 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 Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Kendall Charcoal is greener. Smoky Slate 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 Smoky Slate
Kendall Charcoal is greener. Smoky Slate is more neutral.
| Smoky Slate | Kendall Charcoal | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 8 | 12.67 |
| Hex | #5A5956 | #6D6D67 |
| Undertone | Cool Dark Charcoal | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Smoky Slate has cool dark charcoal undertones. A cool, dark charcoal with minimal undertone. Behr's cleanest dark gray. Serious and commanding without the warmth of Porpoise or the brown of Mineral.
Kendall Charcoal has warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black.
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. Smoky Slate's cool dark charcoal quality may read differently than Kendall Charcoal'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
Smoky Slate in Your Room
In bright light, reads as a clean, cool dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches a sophisticated near-black. The cool lean keeps it sharp and modern.
Kendall Charcoal in Your Room
Reads as a rich charcoal in most rooms. The green undertone shows in very bright light. Pairs beautifully with warm whites and brass accents.
LRV and Brightness
Smoky Slate has an LRV of 8, while Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 12.67. 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 Smoky Slate
Behr recommends Smoky Slate for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, cabinets. With an LRV of 8, this is a 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.
Kendall Charcoal is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, front door, office, powder room. 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.
Smoky Slate in Other Brands
Looking for Smoky Slate equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Smoky Slate (PPU25-18) is Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Kendall Charcoal is greener. Smoky Slate 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. Smoky Slate is a Behr color with cool dark charcoal undertones and an LRV of 8. Kendall Charcoal is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 12.67. With a Delta E of 4.8, 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 4.8, 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.