Pigeon Alt → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Farrow & Ball Pigeon Alt (No.47), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Pigeon Alt
If you love Farrow & Ball Pigeon Alt 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.
Pigeon Alt (No.47) is a dark green with smoky green undertones. A smoky, muted green. Darker than Pigeon, with more green saturation. The color of green wood smoke rising against a gray sky. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 18) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pigeon Alt 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 Rosemary Sprig (2144-30) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Rosemary Sprig is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Pigeon Alt
Rosemary Sprig is close.
| Pigeon Alt | Rosemary Sprig | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 18 | 17.11 |
| Hex | #848C82 | #828D7C |
| Undertone | Smoky Green | Earthy Herb Green |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Pigeon Alt has smoky green undertones. A smoky, muted green. Darker than Pigeon, with more green saturation. The color of green wood smoke rising against a gray sky.
Rosemary Sprig has earthy herb green undertones. A rich herb green with gray undertones. The color of fresh rosemary. Earthy and aromatic in character. Deeper than Sandy Hook Gray.
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
Pigeon Alt in Your Room
The smoky green is atmospheric. In bright rooms, the green is definite. In dim rooms, a moody dark gray-green.
Rosemary Sprig in Your Room
In bright light, the herbal green is rich and natural. In dim rooms, a moody dark green-gray. Beautiful in kitchens.
LRV and Brightness
Pigeon Alt has an LRV of 18, while Rosemary Sprig has an LRV of 17.11. 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 Pigeon Alt
Farrow & Ball recommends Pigeon Alt for: accent wall, kitchen, exterior, office, bedroom. With an LRV of 18, 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.
Rosemary Sprig is recommended for: kitchen, accent wall, exterior, office, 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.
Pigeon Alt in Other Brands
Looking for Pigeon Alt equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Pigeon Alt (No.47) is Rosemary Sprig (2144-30) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Rosemary Sprig 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. Pigeon Alt is a Farrow & Ball color with smoky green undertones and an LRV of 18. Rosemary Sprig is a Benjamin Moore color with earthy herb green undertones and an LRV of 17.11. 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.