ColorplanBenjamin Moore Smokey Taupe (983) is a mid-tone warm gray (greige) with a warm yellow undertone and an LRV of 56. Closest matches: Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036), Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth (No.283) and Behr Wheat Bread (720C-3). For trim, try Opulence (OC-69).
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 | 55.8 (mid-tone; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #CDC4B5 |
| RGB | 205, 196, 181 |
| HSL | 38°, 19%, 76% |
About Smokey Taupe
Smokey Taupe (983) is a mid-tone warm gray (greige) from Benjamin Moore with a warm yellow undertone. With an LRV of 56, Smokey Taupe has visible color without darkening a room much.
In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Smokey Taupe'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. It's very close to Inukshuk (CC-460); you'd mostly see the difference side by side.
How Smokey Taupe changes with the light
Smokey Taupe has a gentle warm undertone that keeps it from going cold in north-facing rooms, and it looks a touch warmer again in afternoon west light.
North-facing rooms
Smokey Taupe's warmth balances the cool north light, which is why warmer colors are the safe pick for north rooms.
East-facing rooms
Smokey Taupe 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 Smokey Taupe close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Smokey Taupe will glow warmer in the late afternoon.
See Smokey Taupe in real homes
Photos people have shared of Smokey Taupe in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Smokey Taupe 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 0.9
Also close: Worldly Gray (ΔE 1.8)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Very close · ΔE 2.2
Also close: Elephant's Breath (ΔE 2.3)
Compare side by side →Behr
Nearly identical · ΔE 0.9
Also close: Sculptor Clay (ΔE 0.9)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Smokey Taupe questions
What undertone does Smokey Taupe have?
Smokey Taupe has a warm yellow undertone, so it reads as a warm color. In north-facing rooms the cool daylight tones down Smokey Taupe's warmth, so it can read a little grayer; south- and west-facing light brings the warmth forward.
Is Smokey Taupe a light or dark color?
Smokey Taupe has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 55.8 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a mid-tone color. With an LRV of 56, Smokey Taupe has visible color without darkening a room much.
What is the closest match to Smokey Taupe in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Accessible Beige SW 7036 (nearly identical, ΔE 0.9); Farrow & Ball: Drop Cloth No.283 (very close, ΔE 2.2); Behr: Wheat Bread 720C-3 (nearly identical, ΔE 0.9). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Smokey Taupe?
Try Opulence (OC-69) on trim and Distant Gray (OC-68) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Smokey Taupe's undertone.
Where does Smokey Taupe work best?
Smokey Taupe works well in open-plan living areas, hallways, living rooms and bedrooms. With an LRV of 56, Smokey Taupe has visible color without darkening a room much.
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