Pigeon → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Farrow & Ball Pigeon (No.25), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Pigeon
If you love Farrow & Ball Pigeon 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 Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Pigeon (No.25) is a medium-dark green with muted green-gray undertones. A sophisticated muted green-gray. The color of a pigeon's breast. Complex, organic, and distinctly Farrow & Ball. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 25) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pigeon 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 Oyster Bay (SW 6206) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Oyster Bay is lighter. Pigeon has more depth and complexity. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Pigeon
Oyster Bay is lighter. Pigeon has more depth and complexity.
| Pigeon | Oyster Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 25 | 43 |
| Hex | #98A196 | #B6C1B8 |
| Undertone | Muted Green-Gray | Muted Sage |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Pigeon has muted green-gray undertones. A sophisticated muted green-gray. The color of a pigeon's breast. Complex, organic, and distinctly Farrow & Ball.
Oyster Bay has muted sage undertones. A muted sage green with gray undertones. More saturated than Comfort Gray, less bold than a true sage. Organic and calming.
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 in Your Room
In bright light, the green is soft and natural. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated medium gray. Changes beautifully throughout the day.
Oyster Bay in Your Room
In bright light, the green is pleasantly present. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm gray with green undertones.
LRV and Brightness
Pigeon has an LRV of 25, while Oyster Bay has an LRV of 43. That means Oyster Bay reflects more light. If you switch from Pigeon to Oyster Bay, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Pigeon
Farrow & Ball recommends Pigeon for: kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, exterior. With an LRV of 25, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Oyster Bay is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, nursery. 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 in Other Brands
Looking for Pigeon equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Pigeon (No.25) is Oyster Bay (SW 6206) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Oyster Bay is lighter. Pigeon has more depth and complexity. 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 is a Farrow & Ball color with muted green-gray undertones and an LRV of 25. Oyster Bay is a Sherwin Williams color with muted sage undertones and an LRV of 43. 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 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.