Color spec
| Brand | Behr |
| Name | Shale Gray |
| SKU | 540F-4 |
| Hex | #81B0B2 |
| RGB | 129, 176, 178 |
| HSL | 182°, 24%, 60% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | cool blue-green tone |
| Family | Teal |
About Behr Shale Gray
Shale Gray sits in the mid-range at LRV 39, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its teal undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Shale Gray is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Teals add character without shouting — good for a vanity, an island or a feature wall.
Closest matches by brand
12 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all teal from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
C2 Paint
Clare
Rust-Oleum
Similar Behr colors
closest in the Behr deckThe nearest shades to Shale Gray within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #81B0B2 in HSL space. Pair Shale Gray with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Behr Shale Gray Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Shale Gray from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Behr 540F-4 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Shale Gray
Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Reflecting Pool (SW 6486), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.59). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone, so it substitutes for Shale Gray without repainting risk. See the full Reflecting Pool swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Shale Gray
Valspar has no exact twin of Shale Gray. The nearest is Fog Blue (8003-38D) at ΔE 3.81 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Fog Blue swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Shale Gray
At Glidden, the closest color to Shale Gray is Gentle Turquoise (90GG 41/143) — very close at ΔE 2.41, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 41 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Gentle Turquoise swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Shale Gray
Dutch Boy has no exact twin of Shale Gray. The nearest is North Haven (334-4DB) at ΔE 3.74 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full North Haven swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Shale Gray
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Reflecting Pool (HGSW 2324), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.59). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone, so it substitutes for Shale Gray without repainting risk. See the full Reflecting Pool swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Shale Gray
Dunn-Edwards has no exact twin of Shale Gray. The nearest is More Water Please (DEFD55) at ΔE 4.02 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full More Water Please swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Shale Gray
At Magnolia Home, the closest color to Shale Gray is Morning Calm (JG-77) — very close at ΔE 3.01, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Morning Calm swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Shale Gray
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Shale Gray. The nearest is Ballroom Blue (NO. 24) at ΔE 4.5 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly darker (LRV 37 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Ballroom Blue swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Shale Gray
C2 Paint has no exact twin of Shale Gray. The nearest is Inuvik Ice (C2-716) at ΔE 4.7 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Inuvik Ice swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Shale Gray
At Clare, the closest color to Shale Gray is Vacay (PNT100-LT-44) — very close at ΔE 3.16, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Vacay swatch →
Rust-Oleum Equivalent of Shale Gray
Rust-Oleum has no exact twin of Shale Gray. The nearest is Blue Harbor (371675) at ΔE 4.89 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly darker (LRV 36 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Blue Harbor swatch →