Pale Oak → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Pale Oak
If you love Benjamin Moore Pale Oak but need a Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Pale Oak (OC-20) is a light greige with warm pink-beige undertones. A light greige with subtle pink-beige undertones. Warmer and softer than many grays, without crossing into obviously beige territory. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 69.89) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pale Oak and every Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams option is Popular Gray (SW 6071) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Popular Gray shares the warm, pinkish greige quality. Slightly more gray than Pale Oak but very much in the same family. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Pale Oak
Popular Gray shares the warm, pinkish greige quality. Slightly more gray than Pale Oak but very much in the same family.
| Pale Oak | Popular Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 69.89 | 58 |
| Hex | #E0D7C9 | #D0C9BE |
| Undertone | Warm Pink-Beige | Warm Light Greige |
| Family | Greige | Greige |
Undertone Comparison
Pale Oak has warm pink-beige undertones. A light greige with subtle pink-beige undertones. Warmer and softer than many grays, without crossing into obviously beige territory.
Popular Gray has warm light greige undertones. As its name suggests, one of SW's most requested colors. A light warm greige that works in virtually any space. Crowd-pleasing and versatile.
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. Pale Oak's warm pink-beige quality may read differently than Popular Gray's warm light greige 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
Pale Oak in Your Room
The pink undertone is most visible in north-facing rooms or under cool light. In warm, sunny rooms it reads as a neutral warm off-white. Pairs beautifully with White Dove on trim.
Popular Gray in Your Room
Warm and universally flattering. Reads as a warm, light neutral in all conditions.
LRV and Brightness
Pale Oak has an LRV of 69.89, while Popular Gray has an LRV of 58. That means Pale Oak reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Pale Oak will make the space feel brighter and more open than Popular Gray. If you are switching to the Sherwin Williams option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Pale Oak
Benjamin Moore recommends Pale Oak for: living room, bedroom, hallway, open floor plan, whole house. With an LRV of 69.89, 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.
Popular Gray is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, dining 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.
Pale Oak in Other Brands
Looking for Pale Oak equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Pale Oak (OC-20) is Popular Gray (SW 6071) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Popular Gray shares the warm, pinkish greige quality. Slightly more gray than Pale Oak but very much in the same family. 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. Pale Oak is a Benjamin Moore color with warm pink-beige undertones and an LRV of 69.89. Popular Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm light greige undertones and an LRV of 58. 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 Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams 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.