Color spec
| Brand | Benjamin Moore |
| Name | Flax |
| SKU | 2098-50 |
| Hex | #C0A9A1 |
| RGB | 192, 169, 161 |
| HSL | 15°, 20%, 69% |
| LRV | 42 |
| Undertone | warm red tone |
| Family | Neutral |
About Benjamin Moore Flax
Flax sits in the mid-range at LRV 42, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its red 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.
Flax is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Greige-leaning neutrals like this are the safe whole-home choice when you want warmth without committing to a color.
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 neutral from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
Dunn-Edwards
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
C2 Paint
Portola Paints
Kompozit
Similar Benjamin Moore colors
closest in the Benjamin Moore deckThe nearest shades to Flax within Benjamin Moore'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 #C0A9A1 in HSL space. Pair Flax 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.
Benjamin Moore Flax Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Flax 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 Benjamin Moore 2098-50 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Flax
Sherwin-Williams has no exact twin of Flax. The nearest is Chelsea Mauve (SW 2) at ΔE 3.84 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 43 vs 42). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Chelsea Mauve swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Flax
The closest Behr equivalent of Flax is Dusty Rosewood (UL130-17). At ΔE 0.73 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 42 vs 42). If Behr is your counter, order Dusty Rosewood and you'll get the same color. See the full Dusty Rosewood swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Flax
Valspar's nearest match is Berry Frost (1004-10A), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.63). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 41.5 vs 42) and carries a warm red undertone, so it substitutes for Flax without repainting risk. See the full Berry Frost swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Flax
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Flax is Taupe Tapestry (PPG1072-4) — very close at ΔE 2.68, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 42 vs 42) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Taupe Tapestry swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Flax
At Glidden, the closest color to Flax is Council Bluff Tan (90YR 43/101) — very close at ΔE 3.07, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 43 vs 42) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Council Bluff Tan swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Flax
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Flax is Crushed Stone (DE6067) — very close at ΔE 2.97, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 39 vs 42) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Crushed Stone swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Flax
Diamond Vogel's nearest match is Cozy Cover (0140), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.97). It runs slightly darker (LRV 40 vs 42) and carries a warm red undertone, so it substitutes for Flax without repainting risk. See the full Cozy Cover swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Flax
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Flax. The nearest is Oak Plank (0148) at ΔE 3.53 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 43 vs 42). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Oak Plank swatch →
Portola Paints Equivalent of Flax
At Portola Paints, the closest color to Flax is Havana (HAVANA) — very close at ΔE 3.3, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 40 vs 42) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Havana swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Flax
Kompozit has no exact twin of Flax. The nearest is Oak Plank (0148) at ΔE 3.53 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 43 vs 42). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Oak Plank swatch →