Color spec
| Brand | Benjamin Moore |
| Name | Smoky Ash |
| SKU | 986 |
| Hex | #998B75 |
| RGB | 153, 139, 117 |
| HSL | 37°, 15%, 53% |
| LRV | 27 |
| Undertone | warm red-orange tone |
| Family | Neutral |
About Benjamin Moore Smoky Ash
Smoky Ash sits in the mid-range at LRV 27, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its orange 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.
Smoky Ash 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
15 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
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Portola Paints
Kompozit
Similar Benjamin Moore colors
closest in the Benjamin Moore deckThe nearest shades to Smoky Ash 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 #998B75 in HSL space. Pair Smoky Ash 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 Smoky Ash Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Smoky Ash 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 986 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Smoky Ash
Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Sawdust (SW 6158), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.35). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 26 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Ash without repainting risk. See the full Sawdust swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Smoky Ash
At Behr, the closest color to Smoky Ash is Rodeo Tan (N240-5) — very close at ΔE 2.65, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 27 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Rodeo Tan swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Smoky Ash
At Valspar, the closest color to Smoky Ash is Stone Manor (6006-2A) — very close at ΔE 2, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 26.1 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Stone Manor swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Smoky Ash
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Smoky Ash is Roasted Chestnut (PPG15-30) — very close at ΔE 3.35, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 28 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Roasted Chestnut swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Smoky Ash
Glidden has no exact twin of Smoky Ash. The nearest is Roasted Chestnut (PPG15-30) at ΔE 3.64 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 27 vs 27). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Roasted Chestnut swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Smoky Ash
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Smoky Ash is Stone Cottage (421-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.64, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 28 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Stone Cottage swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Smoky Ash
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Lodgepole Pine (HGSW 3213), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.35). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 26 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Ash without repainting risk. See the full Lodgepole Pine swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Smoky Ash
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Smoky Ash is Tawny Owl (DET640) — very close at ΔE 2.18, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 26 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Tawny Owl swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Smoky Ash
Farrow & Ball's nearest match is Mouse's Back (NO. 40), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.29). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 26 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Ash without repainting risk. See the full Mouse's Back swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Smoky Ash
Diamond Vogel has no exact twin of Smoky Ash. The nearest is Shagbark Olive (0352) at ΔE 3.99 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 27 vs 27). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Shagbark Olive swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Smoky Ash
At Rodda, the closest color to Smoky Ash is Cumin (CA144) — very close at ΔE 2.5, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 26 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Cumin swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Smoky Ash
C2 Paint's nearest match is Cumin (C2-888), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.58). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 27 vs 27) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Ash without repainting risk. See the full Cumin swatch →
Portola Paints Equivalent of Smoky Ash
Portola Paints has no exact twin of Smoky Ash. The nearest is Bond Street (BOND STREET) at ΔE 3.57 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 28 vs 27). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Bond Street swatch →