Blackened → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Farrow & Ball Blackened (No.2011), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Blackened
If you love Farrow & Ball Blackened 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 Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Blackened (No.2011) is a light white with cool off-white undertones. A cool, sophisticated off-white with gray undertones. More gray than a typical white. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 72) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Blackened 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 Paper White (OC-55) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Paper White is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Blackened
Paper White is close.
| Blackened | Paper White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 72 | 75.07 |
| Hex | #DBD9D4 | #E3E1DC |
| Undertone | Cool Off-White | Cool Gray-White |
| Family | White | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Blackened has cool off-white undertones. A cool, sophisticated off-white with gray undertones. More gray than a typical white.
Paper White has cool gray-white undertones. An ultra-light gray that reads almost white. Cooler and grayer than Horizon. A modern, crisp off-white.
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
Blackened in Your Room
In bright rooms, reads as a cool, refined white. In dim rooms, the gray adds depth.
Paper White in Your Room
In bright rooms, nearly white with the faintest gray depth. In dim rooms, the gray is slightly more apparent.
LRV and Brightness
Blackened has an LRV of 72, while Paper White has an LRV of 75.07. 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 Blackened
Farrow & Ball recommends Blackened for: whole house, bedroom, bathroom, hallway. With an LRV of 72, 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.
Paper White is recommended for: whole house, bathroom, hallway, bedroom, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Paper White in the same rooms you planned for Blackened.
Blackened in Other Brands
Looking for Blackened equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Blackened (No.2011) is Paper White (OC-55) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Paper White 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. Blackened is a Farrow & Ball color with cool off-white undertones and an LRV of 72. Paper White is a Benjamin Moore color with cool gray-white undertones and an LRV of 75.07. With a Delta E of 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 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.