PAINT COLOR COMPARISON
Benjamin MooreClassic Grayvs Benjamin MoorePale Oak
Why this comparison. Two BM light warm-neutrals constantly mistaken for each other.
Classic Gray and Pale Oak are visually nearly identical (ΔE 1.84). Most eyes can't tell them apart on a wall — pick whichever is easier to source.
BENJAMIN MOORE · OC-23
Classic Gray
#D7D2C5 · LRV 74
Undertone: red-orange / warm
BENJAMIN MOORE · OC-20
Pale Oak
#D9D1C0 · LRV 67
Undertone: red-orange / warm
The numbers
ΔE2000
1.84
near-perfect
Perceptual color distance — lower = more similar
LRV DELTA
7
Classic Gray is lighter
Light reflectance: how bright on a wall
UNDERTONE
Same
Classic Gray: red-orange / warm
Pale Oak: red-orange / warm
Pale Oak: red-orange / warm
Classic Gray is slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 67, 7-point delta).
Specs side by side
| Spec | Classic Gray | Pale Oak |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Benjamin Moore | Benjamin Moore |
| SKU | OC-23 | OC-20 |
| Hex | #D7D2C5 | #D9D1C0 |
| RGB | 215, 210, 197 | 217, 209, 192 |
| LRV | 74 | 67 |
| Undertone | red-orange / warm | red-orange / warm |
| Family | Neutral | Neutral |
When to pick which
PICK CLASSIC GRAY
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
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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