ColorplanBenjamin Moore Shale (861) is a mid-tone warm gray (greige) with a warm yellow undertone and an LRV of 51. Closest matches: Sherwin-Williams Skyline Steel (SW 1015), Farrow & Ball Purbeck Stone (No.275) and Behr Sculptor Clay (PPU5-08). For trim, try White (OC-151).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Gray |
| LRV | 51.2 (mid-tone; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #C3BDB1 |
| RGB | 195, 189, 177 |
| HSL | 40°, 13%, 73% |
About Shale
Shale (861) is a mid-tone warm gray (greige) from Benjamin Moore with a warm yellow undertone. With an LRV of 51, Shale has visible color without darkening a room much.
In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Shale's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward. It's a good fit for open-plan living areas, hallways, living rooms and bedrooms. Next to Thunder (AF-685), it's lighter.
How Shale changes with the light
Shale has a fairly balanced undertone: it shifts a little cooler in north light and a little warmer in afternoon west light, which makes it an easy choice for most rooms.
North-facing rooms
In north light Shale will look a little cooler and grayer than on the chip.
East-facing rooms
Shale will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows Shale close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Shale will glow warmer in the late afternoon.
See Shale in real homes
Photos people have shared of Shale in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Shale equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical · ΔE 0.8
Also close: Colonnade Gray (ΔE 1.2)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Very close · ΔE 1.5
Also close: Elephant's Breath (ΔE 1.8)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Shale questions
What undertone does Shale have?
Shale has a warm yellow undertone, so it reads as a warm color. In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Shale's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward.
Is Shale a light or dark color?
Shale has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 51.2 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a mid-tone color. With an LRV of 51, Shale has visible color without darkening a room much.
What is the closest match to Shale in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Skyline Steel SW 1015 (nearly identical, ΔE 0.8); Farrow & Ball: Purbeck Stone No.275 (very close, ΔE 1.5); Behr: Sculptor Clay PPU5-08 (very close, ΔE 2.2). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Shale?
Try White (OC-151) on trim and Distant Gray (OC-68) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Shale's undertone.
Where does Shale work best?
Shale works well in open-plan living areas, hallways, living rooms and bedrooms. With an LRV of 51, Shale has visible color without darkening a room much.
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