Basalt Powder → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Basalt Powder
If you love Sherwin Williams Basalt Powder 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.
Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2) is a medium blue with soft blue undertones. A soft, powder-light blue-gray. Named for the volcanic rock ground to dust. More blue than Tidal Salt, lighter than Stardew. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 58) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Basalt Powder 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 Quiet Moments (1563) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Quiet Moments is greener. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Basalt Powder
Quiet Moments is greener.
| Basalt Powder | Quiet Moments | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 58 | 56.26 |
| Hex | #C7D1D2 | #C3D1D0 |
| Undertone | Soft Blue | Soft Blue-Green |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Basalt Powder has soft blue undertones. A soft, powder-light blue-gray. Named for the volcanic rock ground to dust. More blue than Tidal Salt, lighter than Stardew.
Quiet Moments has soft blue-green undertones. A soft, calming blue-green gray. More blue than Sea Salt, more gray than Palladian Blue. Serene and spa-like.
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. Basalt Powder's soft blue quality may read differently than Quiet Moments's soft blue-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
Basalt Powder in Your Room
The blue is soft and powdery. In bright rooms, a gentle blue. In dim rooms, a cool, calming gray.
Quiet Moments in Your Room
Shifts between blue and green depending on light. In cool north light, the blue dominates. In warm light, the green comes forward. Always calming.
LRV and Brightness
Basalt Powder has an LRV of 58, while Quiet Moments has an LRV of 56.26. 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 Basalt Powder
Sherwin Williams recommends Basalt Powder for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, hallway, laundry room. With an LRV of 58, this is a medium 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.
Quiet Moments is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, sunroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Quiet Moments in the same rooms you planned for Basalt Powder.
Basalt Powder in Other Brands
Looking for Basalt Powder equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2) is Quiet Moments (1563) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Quiet Moments is greener. 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. Basalt Powder is a Sherwin Williams color with soft blue undertones and an LRV of 58. Quiet Moments is a Benjamin Moore color with soft blue-green undertones and an LRV of 56.26. With a Delta E of 4.4, 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 4.4, 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.