Color spec
| Brand | C2 Paint |
| Name | Chain Reaction |
| SKU | C2-985 |
| Hex | #A2A3A8 |
| RGB | 162, 163, 168 |
| HSL | 230°, 3%, 65% |
| LRV | 37 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| Family | Gray |
About C2 Paint Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction sits in the mid-range at LRV 37, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Chain Reaction is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
Closest matches at every US brand
13 brands · top 5 each5 closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Dunn-Edwards
Diamond Vogel
Behr
Sherwin-Williams
Clare
Kompozit
PPG / Glidden
Dutch Boy
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
Farrow & Ball
Magnolia Home
Backdrop
Similar C2 Paint colors
closest in the C2 Paint deckThe nearest shades to Chain Reaction within C2 Paint'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 #A2A3A8 in HSL space. Pair Chain Reaction 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.
C2 Paint Chain Reaction Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Chain Reaction 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 C2 Paint C2-985 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Behr Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Behr, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Masterpiece (MQ5-08) — very close at ΔE 2.04, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 37) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Masterpiece swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Baby Seal (DE6361) — very close at ΔE 2.21, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 35 vs 37) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Baby Seal swatch →
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Mysterious Mauve (SW 6262) — very close at ΔE 2.27, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 37) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Mysterious Mauve swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Metropolis Mood (0526) — very close at ΔE 2.31, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 37) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Metropolis Mood swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Clare, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Set In Stone (PNT100-LT-15) — very close at ΔE 2.64, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 37) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Set In Stone swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Kompozit, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Baby Seal (0519) — very close at ΔE 2.67, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 37) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Baby Seal swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Amethyst Haze (PPG13-23) — very close at ΔE 2.79, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 37) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Amethyst Haze swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Silvered Chain (435-4DB) — very close at ΔE 3.04, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 37) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Silvered Chain swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Valspar has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Crystal Noir (8005-12D) at ΔE 4.16 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 37). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Crystal Noir swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Benjamin Moore has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Cobblestone Path (1606) at ΔE 4.63 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 37). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Cobblestone Path swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Manor House Gray (NO. 265) at ΔE 4.82 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly darker (LRV 35 vs 37). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Manor House Gray swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Magnolia Home doesn't make a true equivalent of Chain Reaction — the nearest deck color, Vintage Weathervane (JG-137), is clearly different (ΔE 6.63). For an exact match, any Magnolia Home retailer can custom-tint C2 Paint C2-985 instead. See the full Vintage Weathervane swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Chain Reaction — the nearest deck color, Nuevo (BD-NU), is clearly different (ΔE 8.08). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint C2 Paint C2-985 instead. See the full Nuevo swatch →