Metropolitan AF-690 is a gray paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #BBBEB9, estimated LRV 51 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Solstice from PPG (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Benjamin Moore · #BBBEB9 · AF-690
Metropolitan
51%Estimated LRV
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
HEX Code#BBBEB9
RGB187, 190, 185
Estimated LRV50.9
UndertoneNeutral
Digital swatches and calculated matches are approximations. Catalog LRV values may be calculated estimates, not manufacturer measurements. Data and matching method. Check the brand reference and physical samples before purchase.
Color Familygray
BrandBenjamin Moore
Test it in your room
Place physical samples beside your flooring and trim. Check them in daylight and with your evening lights before buying paint.
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Compare alternatives to Metropolitan
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Solstice
PPG
#BABDB8
Close digital match
Granite Dust
Valspar
#BABCB6
Close digital match
Quiet Time
Behr
#B8BCB8
Close digital match
International Gray
Kilz
#BABEB7
Close digital match
Light Blue
Farrow & Ball
#B8BCB5
Close digital match
Ice Flow
Vista Paint
#BDC2BC
Close digital match
Argos
Sherwin-Williams
#BDBDB7
Close digital match
Fair-Minded Gray
Dutch Boy
#B9BAB6
Close digital match
Silver Chalice
Dunn-Edwards
#B6B8B3
Close digital match
Ice Flow
Hirshfield's
#BDC3BD
Close digital match
Metal .03
Colorhouse
#B5B8B1
Close digital match
Agate Grey
RAL
#C3C3C3
Similar digital color
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.
Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With Metropolitan
These are generated digital colors, not named manufacturer paints. Use the palette tools to find paint candidates, then compare physical samples.
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
Digital 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. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match Metropolitan from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Metropolitan are Solstice by PPG (a close digital match), Granite Dust by Valspar (a close digital match), Quiet Time by Behr (a close digital 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 estimated lightness value 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.