Metropolitan AF-690 is a gray paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #BBBEB9, LRV 51 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Solstice from PPG (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #BBBEB9 · AF-690
Metropolitan
51%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
More about Metropolitan
Metropolitan, Benjamin Moore's 2019 Color of the Year, is a calm, balanced mid gray at LRV 51 — a true gray with a soft, slightly warm steadiness that never reads cold or stark. It's the “perfect neutral gray” the gray era was always chasing: enough presence to feel intentional, enough restraint to disappear behind your furnishings.
It holds its character well across lighting, which is part of why it became a go-to for whole rooms and even exteriors. It pairs cleanly with white trim and both warm and cool accents. Behr Keystone Gray is a near-identical cross-brand match.
Metropolitan Technical Profile
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Metropolitan in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Metropolitan in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Benjamin MooreMetropolitan
Nearly identical
PPGSolstice
Solstice
PPG
Nearly identical
Granite Dust
Valspar
Nearly identical
Quiet Time
Behr
Nearly identical
International Gray
Kilz
Nearly identical
Light Blue
Farrow & Ball
Nearly identical
Ice Flow
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Argos
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Fair-Minded Gray
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Silver Chalice
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Ice Flow
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Metal .03
Colorhouse
Nearly identical
Agate Grey
RAL
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Metropolitan — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Metropolitan
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Metropolitan
#BBBEB9
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#85AD89
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Metropolitan
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Metropolitan — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Metropolitan have?
Metropolitan by Benjamin Moore has a neutral 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 Metropolitan in your own space before committing.
What colors match Metropolitan from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Metropolitan are Solstice by PPG (a near-identical match), Granite Dust by Valspar (a near-identical match), Quiet Time by Behr (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Metropolitan'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 Metropolitan?
Metropolitan has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 50.9, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a mid-light color — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions.
Explore More with Metropolitan
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 Metropolitan's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.