CP
HIRSHFIELD'S · 0541

Hirshfield's Smoky Tone#9D9E9D · LRV 35

Smoky Tone reads as a true neutral (no measurable hue) — mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light. The notes below cover the spec, what Hirshfield's 0541 actually looks like under different light, and the closest matches at competing US brands.

HIRSHFIELD'S SMOKY TONE
RGB 157, 158, 157 LRV 35

Color spec

Brand Hirshfield's
Name Smoky Tone
SKU 0541
Hex #9D9E9D
RGB 157, 158, 157
HSL 120°, 1%, 62%
LRV 35
Undertone true neutral (no measurable hue)
Family Gray

About Hirshfield's Smoky Tone

Smoky Tone sits in the mid-range at LRV 35, 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.

Smoky Tone 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

20 brands · top 5 each

5 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.

Sherwin-Williams

1,947 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.76
All gray at Sherwin-Williams →
SW 9563 · #9E9D99 · ΔE 1.76 · LRV 34
SW 7655 · #A0A09A · ΔE 2.68 · LRV 35
SW 7660 · #969A96 · ΔE 2.94 · LRV 32
SW 9161 · #959BA0 · ΔE 3.77 · LRV 32
SW 9152 · #979FA5 · ΔE 4.36 · LRV 34

Behr

5,644 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.55
All gray at Behr →
MQ6-22 · #9E9E9D · ΔE 0.55 · LRV 34
PPU26-06 · #A0A09F · ΔE 0.87 · LRV 35
N500-4 · #999DA0 · ΔE 2.43 · LRV 33
PPU11-16 · #9BA19E · ΔE 3 · LRV 35
HDC-SM16-02 · #99A1A1 · ΔE 3.38 · LRV 35

Benjamin Moore

3,934 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.82
All gray at Benjamin Moore →
AF-700 · #9FA09E · ΔE 0.82 · LRV 36
1461 · #A09E9D · ΔE 1.66 · LRV 35
1600 · #9A9F9E · ΔE 2.04 · LRV 35
1614 · #9A9FA2 · ΔE 2.62 · LRV 35
CSP-110 · #A09E97 · ΔE 3.21 · LRV 34

Valspar

2,858 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.46
All gray at Valspar →
8006-11D · #9D9C9C · ΔE 1.46 · LRV 33
V120-2 · #9A9B97 · ΔE 1.95 · LRV 32.5
4004-1C · #A1A09B · ΔE 2.28 · LRV 35.2
V116-2 · #959C9C · ΔE 3.08 · LRV 32.5
8006-12D · #9D999A · ΔE 3.44 · LRV 32

PPG / Glidden

2,132 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.98
All gray at PPG / Glidden →
PPG0995-5 · #9F9F9F · ΔE 0.98 · LRV 35
PPG0994-5 · #9C9F9A · ΔE 2.61 · LRV 34
PPG0998-4 · #A29F99 · ΔE 3.02 · LRV 35
UFO
PPG1011-4 · #999FA3 · ΔE 3.22 · LRV 34
PPG0993-4 · #999FA5 · ΔE 3.98 · LRV 34

Glidden

3,101 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.31
All gray at Glidden →
PPG0995-5 · #9E9F9E · ΔE 0.31 · LRV 35
50BG 33/025 · #989DA0 · ΔE 2.66 · LRV 33
PPG0994-5 · #9B9F9A · ΔE 2.92 · LRV 34
PPG0998-4 · #A19E98 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 34
Ufo
PPG1011-4 · #989FA3 · ΔE 3.48 · LRV 34

Dutch Boy

1,340 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.65
All gray at Dutch Boy →
435-4DB · #9EA3A5 · ΔE 2.65 · LRV 36
438-4DB · #9B9893 · ΔE 3.16 · LRV 31
444-3DB · #A7A0A1 · ΔE 4.78 · LRV 36
430-4DB · #93A1A5 · ΔE 5.82 · LRV 35
425-4DB · #99A096 · ΔE 5.85 · LRV 34
HGSW 1473 · #969A96 · ΔE 2.94 · LRV 32
HGSW 7660 · #969A96 · ΔE 2.94 · LRV 32
HGSW 3364 · #979FA5 · ΔE 4.36 · LRV 34
HGSW 9152 · #979FA5 · ΔE 4.36 · LRV 34
HGSW 3284 · #969C92 · ΔE 5.73 · LRV 32

Dunn-Edwards

2,298 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.03
All gray at Dunn-Edwards →
DEGR58 · #9B9B9A · ΔE 1.03 · LRV 33
DEGR68 · #999D9A · ΔE 2.17 · LRV 33
DEGR51 · #A19E98 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 34
DEC789 · #979D9A · ΔE 3.04 · LRV 31
DEGR10 · #A39D99 · ΔE 3.66 · LRV 34

Magnolia Home

160 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.31
All gray at Magnolia Home →
JG-94 · #929898 · ΔE 3.31 · LRV 31
JG-135 · #A19C96 · ΔE 3.62 · LRV 34
JG-137 · #A3A7A1 · ΔE 4.12 · LRV 38
JG-84 · #91A1A4 · ΔE 6.48 · LRV 34
JG-75 · #97A399 · ΔE 7.34 · LRV 35

Farrow & Ball

209 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.43
All gray at Farrow & Ball →
NO. 265 · #9EA09D · ΔE 1.43 · LRV 35
NO. 284 · #A09C97 · ΔE 3.01 · LRV 33
NO. 25 · #9A9F94 · ΔE 5.76 · LRV 34
NO. 85 · #889B9B · ΔE 7.98 · LRV 31
NO. 19 · #A1A189 · ΔE 10.04 · LRV 35

Diamond Vogel

1,386 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.35
All gray at Diamond Vogel →
0541 · #A1A1A1 · ΔE 1.35 · LRV 36
0548 · #A09D9D · ΔE 2.42 · LRV 34
0554 · #9E9999 · ΔE 3.63 · LRV 32
0449 · #9DA39A · ΔE 5.27 · LRV 36
0478 · #93A09B · ΔE 6.29 · LRV 34

Rodda

357 colors in deck · best ΔE 4.08
All gray at Rodda →
R094 · #91999C · ΔE 4.08 · LRV 32
R069 · #9CA19A · ΔE 4.11 · LRV 35
CA195 · #939DA2 · ΔE 4.7 · LRV 33
R068 · #9FA398 · ΔE 5.63 · LRV 36
R074 · #8DA09F · ΔE 7.8 · LRV 34

C2 Paint

580 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.24
All gray at C2 Paint →
C2-969 · #9B9B9B · ΔE 1.24 · LRV 33
C2-970 · #9B9995 · ΔE 2.48 · LRV 32
BD13 · #A5A1A2 · ΔE 3.46 · LRV 36
C2-972 · #A09C94 · ΔE 3.99 · LRV 33
C2-796 · #A69E96 · ΔE 5.13 · LRV 35

Clare

78 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.72
All gray at Clare →
PNT100-LT-15 · #9CA2A7 · ΔE 3.72 · LRV 36
PNT100-MD-14 · #91928C · ΔE 4.84 · LRV 28
PNT100-LT-32 · #9C9CA7 · ΔE 6.5 · LRV 34
PNT100-DP-78 · #99AAA4 · ΔE 8.25 · LRV 38
PNT100-LT-38 · #90A6AE · ΔE 8.69 · LRV 36

Portola Paints

69 colors in deck · best ΔE 5.68
All gray at Portola Paints →
TWIN PEAKS · #929EA5 · ΔE 5.68 · LRV 33
JULES · #85929A · ΔE 7.64 · LRV 28
LA CATEDRAL · #A79D8D · ΔE 7.84 · LRV 34
BRONSON · #999985 · ΔE 8.9 · LRV 31
BOONDOCKS · #B09E85 · ΔE 11.74 · LRV 35

Annie Sloan

31 colors in deck · best ΔE 9.12
All gray at Annie Sloan →
PALOMA · #BFB5B3 · ΔE 9.12 · LRV 47
DUCK EGG BLUE · #99AB9D · ΔE 10.39 · LRV 38
FRENCH LINEN · #A79D84 · ΔE 10.57 · LRV 34
CHATEAU GREY · #A49C77 · ΔE 13.83 · LRV 33
PROVENCE · #79A29A · ΔE 14.65 · LRV 32

Backdrop

30 colors in deck · best ΔE 5.34
All gray at Backdrop →
BD-NU · #A4A89F · ΔE 5.34 · LRV 38
BD-CT · #A89E8A · ΔE 9.05 · LRV 33
BD-UD · #A4B5BB · ΔE 9.08 · LRV 41
BD-AN · #A89886 · ΔE 9.82 · LRV 33
BD-LF · #A4AB95 · ΔE 10.52 · LRV 35

Rust-Oleum

16 colors in deck · best ΔE 6.8
All gray at Rust-Oleum →
285141 · #8E948A · ΔE 6.8 · LRV 29
391446 · #958E86 · ΔE 6.83 · LRV 27
285143 · #B6B9BE · ΔE 8.4 · LRV 48
371674 · #A5A78F · ΔE 10.36 · LRV 38
371675 · #8CA8A9 · ΔE 10.47 · LRV 36

Kompozit

1,321 colors in deck · best ΔE 0
All gray at Kompozit →
0541 · #9D9E9D · ΔE 0 · LRV 34
0533 · #9FA1A1 · ΔE 1.11 · LRV 35
0548 · #9D9A9A · ΔE 2.6 · LRV 33
0526 · #99A1A5 · ΔE 3.82 · LRV 35
0449 · #99A098 · ΔE 5.09 · LRV 34

Similar Hirshfield's colors

closest in the Hirshfield's deck

The nearest shades to Smoky Tone within Hirshfield's's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.

0533 · LRV 36
0548 · LRV 34
0449 · LRV 35
0526 · LRV 36
0568 · LRV 36
0574 · LRV 38

Coordinated palette

Generated by hue-rotating #9D9E9D in HSL space. Pair Smoky Tone with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.

COMPLEMENTARY
#9D9E9D + #9E9D9E
TRIADIC
#9D9E9D · #9D9D9E · #9E9D9D
ANALOGOUS
#9E9E9D · #9D9E9D · #9D9E9E

Accessibility (WCAG contrast)

Sample text on white
2.69:1 fail
Sample text on black
7.81:1 AAA

WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.

Hirshfield's Smoky Tone Equivalents at Other Brands

Matching Smoky Tone 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 Hirshfield's 0541 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.

Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Bedrock (SW 9563), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.76). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Tone without repainting risk. See the full Bedrock swatch →

Behr Equivalent of Smoky Tone

The closest Behr equivalent of Smoky Tone is Gateway Gray (MQ6-22). At ΔE 0.55 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 35). If Behr is your counter, order Gateway Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Gateway Gray swatch →

Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Benjamin Moore's nearest match is Sterling Silver (1461), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.66). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Tone without repainting risk. See the full Sterling Silver swatch →

Valspar Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Valspar's nearest match is Sleepy Kitten (8006-11D), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.46). It runs slightly darker (LRV 33 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Tone without repainting risk. See the full Sleepy Kitten swatch →

PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Smoky Tone

The closest PPG / Glidden equivalent of Smoky Tone is Burnished Blade (PPG0995-5). At ΔE 0.98 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 35). If PPG / Glidden is your counter, order Burnished Blade and you'll get the same color. See the full Burnished Blade swatch →

Glidden Equivalent of Smoky Tone

The closest Glidden equivalent of Smoky Tone is Burnished Blade (PPG0995-5). At ΔE 0.31 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 35). If Glidden is your counter, order Burnished Blade and you'll get the same color. See the full Burnished Blade swatch →

Dutch Boy Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Dutch Boy doesn't make a true equivalent of Smoky Tone — the nearest deck color, Antiquated Pewter (425-4DB), is clearly different (ΔE 5.85). For an exact match, any Dutch Boy retailer can custom-tint Hirshfield's 0541 instead. See the full Antiquated Pewter swatch →

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Smoky Tone

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams has no exact twin of Smoky Tone. The nearest is Babbling Brooke (HGSW 3364) at ΔE 4.36 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 35). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Babbling Brooke swatch →

Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Smoky Tone

At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Smoky Tone is Concrete Jungle (DEGR68) — very close at ΔE 2.17, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 33 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Concrete Jungle swatch →

Magnolia Home Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Magnolia Home has no exact twin of Smoky Tone. The nearest is Watering Can (JG-135) at ΔE 3.62 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 35). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Watering Can swatch →

Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Farrow & Ball's nearest match is Manor House Gray (NO. 265), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.43). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Tone without repainting risk. See the full Manor House Gray swatch →

Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Smoky Tone

At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Smoky Tone is Jet Gray (0548) — very close at ΔE 2.42, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Jet Gray swatch →

Rodda Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Rodda has no exact twin of Smoky Tone. The nearest is On the Rocks (R069) at ΔE 4.11 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 35). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full On the Rocks swatch →

C2 Paint Equivalent of Smoky Tone

C2 Paint's nearest match is Hailstorm (C2-969), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.24). It runs slightly darker (LRV 33 vs 35) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Smoky Tone without repainting risk. See the full Hailstorm swatch →

Clare Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Clare has no exact twin of Smoky Tone. The nearest is Set In Stone (PNT100-LT-15) at ΔE 3.72 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 36 vs 35). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Set In Stone swatch →

Portola Paints Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Portola Paints doesn't make a true equivalent of Smoky Tone — the nearest deck color, Twin Peaks (TWIN PEAKS), is clearly different (ΔE 5.68). For an exact match, any Portola Paints retailer can custom-tint Hirshfield's 0541 instead. See the full Twin Peaks swatch →

Annie Sloan Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Annie Sloan doesn't make a true equivalent of Smoky Tone — the nearest deck color, French Linen (FRENCH LINEN), is clearly different (ΔE 10.57). For an exact match, any Annie Sloan retailer can custom-tint Hirshfield's 0541 instead. See the full French Linen swatch →

Backdrop Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Smoky Tone — the nearest deck color, Nuevo (BD-NU), is clearly different (ΔE 5.34). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint Hirshfield's 0541 instead. See the full Nuevo swatch →

Rust-Oleum Equivalent of Smoky Tone

Rust-Oleum doesn't make a true equivalent of Smoky Tone — the nearest deck color, Blue Harbor (371675), is clearly different (ΔE 10.47). For an exact match, any Rust-Oleum retailer can custom-tint Hirshfield's 0541 instead. See the full Blue Harbor swatch →

Kompozit Equivalent of Smoky Tone

The closest Kompozit equivalent of Smoky Tone is Smoky Tone (0541). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 35). If Kompozit is your counter, order Smoky Tone and you'll get the same color. See the full Smoky Tone swatch →

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