Ref. #C9CBB3 · 2144-40
Soft Fern
58%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Soft Fern Technical Profile
What color is Soft Fern? It's a light warm neutral with the hex code #C9CBB3. Colors similar to Soft Fern include PPG Only Olive, Valspar Mint Frost, Vista Paint Plume Grass. Soft Fern has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. At LRV 58, Soft Fern sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. As a warm neutral, Soft Fern pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Soft Fern
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Soft Fern
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Soft Fern
#C9CBB3
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#96AD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Soft Fern
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Soft Fern 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 Soft Fern.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Soft Fern — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Soft Fern have?
Soft Fern by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and belongs to the neutral color family.
What colors match Soft Fern from other brands?
The closest matches are Only Olive by PPG (#CBCCB5), Mint Frost by Valspar (#C9CBB5), Plume Grass by Vista Paint (#C6C8B1). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Soft Fern?
Soft Fern has an LRV of 58.4, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Soft Fern
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 Soft Fern's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.