PAINT COLOR COMPARISON
Benjamin MooreBalboa Mistvs Benjamin MoorePale Oak
Why this comparison. Pale Oak warmer, Balboa Mist grayer — the two most-confused Benjamin Moore soft neutrals.
Balboa Mist and Pale Oak are visually nearly identical (ΔE 0.94). Most eyes can't tell them apart on a wall — pick whichever is easier to source.
BENJAMIN MOORE · OC-27
Balboa Mist
#D7CFC0 · LRV 70
Undertone: red-orange / warm
BENJAMIN MOORE · OC-20
Pale Oak
#D9D1C0 · LRV 67
Undertone: red-orange / warm
The numbers
ΔE2000
0.94
imperceptible
Perceptual color distance — lower = more similar
LRV DELTA
3
Balboa Mist is lighter
Light reflectance: how bright on a wall
UNDERTONE
Same
Balboa Mist: red-orange / warm
Pale Oak: red-orange / warm
Pale Oak: red-orange / warm
Balboa Mist is slightly lighter (LRV 70 vs 67, 3-point delta).
Specs side by side
| Spec | Balboa Mist | Pale Oak |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Benjamin Moore | Benjamin Moore |
| SKU | OC-27 | OC-20 |
| Hex | #D7CFC0 | #D9D1C0 |
| RGB | 215, 207, 192 | 217, 209, 192 |
| LRV | 70 | 67 |
| Undertone | red-orange / warm | red-orange / warm |
| Family | Neutral | Neutral |
When to pick which
PICK BALBOA MIST
Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
Best when you want the slightly lighter, airier read.
PICK PALE OAK
Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
Best when you want a warmer wall feel — pairs well with brass, oak, and creams.
Kompozit alternatives
Closest hex in the Kompozit deck for each side, ranked by ΔE2000.
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