Thunderstorm → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for PPG Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Thunderstorm
If you love PPG Thunderstorm 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 PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6) is a dark gray with warm dark charcoal undertones. A dark, warm charcoal with brown undertones. Dramatic without being black. PPG's bold accent color for front doors, accent walls, and exterior features. The warm brown keeps it from feeling stark or lifeless. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 12) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Thunderstorm 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 Wrought Iron (2124-10) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Wrought Iron is greener. Thunderstorm is browner. Similar depth. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Thunderstorm
Wrought Iron is greener. Thunderstorm is browner. Similar depth.
| Thunderstorm | Wrought Iron | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 12 | 6.16 |
| Hex | #716F6B | #484844 |
| Undertone | Warm Dark Charcoal | Warm Charcoal-Green |
| Family | Gray | Black |
Undertone Comparison
Thunderstorm has warm dark charcoal undertones. A dark, warm charcoal with brown undertones. Dramatic without being black. PPG's bold accent color for front doors, accent walls, and exterior features. The warm brown keeps it from feeling stark or lifeless.
Wrought Iron has warm charcoal-green undertones. A dark, complex near-black with warm charcoal undertones. Softer than a true black, with depth that changes with light.
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. Thunderstorm's warm dark charcoal quality may read differently than Wrought Iron's warm charcoal-green 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
Thunderstorm in Your Room
In bright light, the warm brown undertone shows through. In dim rooms, it reads as a rich, near-black charcoal. The warmth gives it life that a true black cannot provide.
Wrought Iron in Your Room
In direct light, you can see its warm green-gray character. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. More interesting than a flat black.
LRV and Brightness
Thunderstorm has an LRV of 12, while Wrought Iron has an LRV of 6.16. That means Thunderstorm reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Thunderstorm will make the space feel brighter and more open than Wrought Iron. If you are switching to the Benjamin Moore option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Thunderstorm
PPG recommends Thunderstorm for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, cabinets. With an LRV of 12, 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.
Wrought Iron is recommended for: front door, accent wall, cabinets, exterior trim, shutters. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Wrought Iron in the same rooms you planned for Thunderstorm.
Thunderstorm in Other Brands
Looking for Thunderstorm equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6) is Wrought Iron (2124-10) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Wrought Iron is greener. Thunderstorm is browner. Similar depth. 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. Thunderstorm is a PPG color with warm dark charcoal undertones and an LRV of 12. Wrought Iron is a Benjamin Moore color with warm charcoal-green undertones and an LRV of 6.16. 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.