Austere Gray → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Austere Gray (SW 6184), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Austere Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Austere Gray 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 Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Austere Gray (SW 6184) is a medium green with cool green-gray undertones. A cool green-gray. Lighter than Comfort Gray, more green than Silverpointe. Austere in the best sense: restrained and refined. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 49) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Austere Gray 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 November Rain (2142-60) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. November Rain is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Austere Gray
November Rain is close.
| Austere Gray | November Rain | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 49 | 59.42 |
| Hex | #C1C5BD | #CDD2C8 |
| Undertone | Cool Green-Gray | Soft Green-Gray |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Austere Gray has cool green-gray undertones. A cool green-gray. Lighter than Comfort Gray, more green than Silverpointe. Austere in the best sense: restrained and refined.
November Rain has soft green-gray undertones. A soft, atmospheric green-gray named for the melancholy beauty of late autumn. Lighter than October Mist, with a quiet, contemplative quality that calms without darkening.
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
Austere Gray in Your Room
The green is soft and restrained. In bright rooms, a cool green-gray. In dim rooms, a balanced neutral.
November Rain in Your Room
In bright rooms, a soft sage tint. In dim rooms, a warm gray with green whispers. The green is never loud. Atmospheric and peaceful.
LRV and Brightness
Austere Gray has an LRV of 49, while November Rain has an LRV of 59.42. That means November Rain reflects more light. If you switch from Austere Gray to November Rain, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Austere Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Austere Gray for: bathroom, bedroom, living room, hallway, kitchen. With an LRV of 49, this is a medium 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.
November Rain is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, living room, nursery, hallway. 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.
Austere Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Austere Gray equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Austere Gray (SW 6184) is November Rain (2142-60) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. November Rain 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. Austere Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with cool green-gray undertones and an LRV of 49. November Rain is a Benjamin Moore color with soft green-gray undertones and an LRV of 59.42. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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 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.