Smoky Ash 986 is a brown paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #9A8C76, LRV 27 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Sawdust from Sherwin-Williams (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #9A8C76 · 986
Smoky Ash
27%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Smoky Ash Technical Profile
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Smoky Ash in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Smoky Ash in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Benjamin MooreSmoky Ash
Nearly identical
Sherwin-WilliamsSawdust
Sawdust
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Tropical Tan
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Stone Terrace
Valspar
Nearly identical
Sleeping Cabin
Kilz
Nearly identical
Cottage Walk
Behr
Very similar
Mouse's Back
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Canyon Floor Tan
PPG
Very similar
Incense Stick
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Whipcord
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Clifton Point
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Nourish .04
Colorhouse
Very similar
Pearl Mouse Grey
RAL
Visible difference
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Smoky Ash — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Smoky Ash
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Smoky Ash
#9A8C76
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A9AD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Smoky Ash
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Smoky Ash 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 Smoky Ash.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Smoky Ash — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Smoky Ash have?
Smoky Ash by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and sits in the brown color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Smoky Ash in your own space before committing.
What colors match Smoky Ash from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Smoky Ash are Sawdust by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Tropical Tan by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Stone Terrace by Valspar (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Smoky Ash'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 Smoky Ash?
Smoky Ash has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 26.9, 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 Smoky Ash
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 Smoky Ash's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.