Shale 861 is a gray paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #C4BEB2, LRV 52 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Skyline Steel from Sherwin-Williams (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #C4BEB2 · 861
Shale
52%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Shale Technical Profile
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Shale in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Shale in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Benjamin MooreShale
Nearly identical
Sherwin-WilliamsSkyline Steel
Skyline Steel
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Silver Spree
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Ask Me Anything
Valspar
Nearly identical
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Nearly identical
Sierra Madre
Behr
Nearly identical
Scalloped Gray
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Burmese Beige
PPG
Nearly identical
Chintz
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Stay Calm
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Portobello
Kilz
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Shale — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Shale
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Shale
#C4BEB2
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A7AD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Shale
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Shale 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 Shale.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Shale — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Shale have?
Shale 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 Shale in your own space before committing.
What colors match Shale from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Shale are Skyline Steel by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Roycroft Mist Gray by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Silver Spree by Vista Paint (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Shale'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 Shale?
Shale has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 51.8, 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 Shale
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 Shale's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.