James AC-23 is a gray paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #87999F, LRV 30 and a cool (blue) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Water .05 from Colorhouse (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #87999F · AC-23
James
30%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
James Technical Profile
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James in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to James in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Benjamin MooreJames
Nearly identical
ColorhouseWater .05
Water .05
Colorhouse
Nearly identical
Rainy Season
Behr
Nearly identical
Neptune'S Rings
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Standish Blue
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Whirlpool
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Gray Flannel
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Standish Blue
Vista Paint
Very similar
Nocturnal Creek
PPG
Very similar
Stray Gray
Kilz
Very similar
Blue Twilight
Valspar
Very similar
Silver Grey
RAL
Very similar
Sardine
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of James — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With James
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
James
#87999F
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#858FAD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for James
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
James Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
Other Benjamin Moore colors close to James.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
James — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does James have?
James by Benjamin Moore has a cool (blue) undertone and sits in the gray color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample James in your own space before committing.
What colors match James from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to James are Water .05 by Colorhouse (a near-identical match), Rainy Season by Behr (a near-identical match), Neptune'S Rings by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting James's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of James?
James has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 30.4, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural light.
Explore More with James
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why James's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.