Functional Gray → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Functional Gray (SW 7024), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Functional Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Functional 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.
Functional Gray (SW 7024) is a medium gray with warm gray undertones. A warm, functional mid-tone gray. Less beige than greige, less cool than a true gray. Right in the middle. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 44) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Functional 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 Nimbus (1465) with a Delta E of 4.1, which is a "good match" level match. Nimbus is slightly greener. Both are warm medium grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Functional Gray
Nimbus is slightly greener. Both are warm medium grays.
| Functional Gray | Nimbus | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 44 | 43.28 |
| Hex | #BBB7B0 | #BAB7B0 |
| Undertone | Warm Gray | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Functional Gray has warm gray undertones. A warm, functional mid-tone gray. Less beige than greige, less cool than a true gray. Right in the middle.
Nimbus has warm green-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm green undertones. Deeper than Silver Chain, greener than Smoke Embers. A sophisticated mid-tone neutral.
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. Functional Gray's warm gray quality may read differently than Nimbus's warm green-gray 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
Functional Gray in Your Room
Versatile and balanced. Reads as a warm gray without strong color pulls.
Nimbus in Your Room
The green is subtle but present. In bright rooms, it reads as a soft sage-gray. In dim rooms, it's a warm medium gray.
LRV and Brightness
Functional Gray has an LRV of 44, while Nimbus has an LRV of 43.28. 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 Functional Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Functional Gray for: living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom, office. With an LRV of 44, 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.
Nimbus is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Nimbus in the same rooms you planned for Functional Gray.
Functional Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Functional 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 Functional Gray (SW 7024) is Nimbus (1465) with a Delta E of 4.1, which rates as a "good match" match. Nimbus is slightly greener. Both are warm medium grays. 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. Functional Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm gray undertones and an LRV of 44. Nimbus is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 43.28. With a Delta E of 4.1, 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 4.1, 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.