Poised Neutral works as a warm neutral anchor — pairs cleanly with most existing palettes and reads forgiving across lighting conditions. At LRV 36 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it if you want a crisp, cool-modern look, or in rooms with heavy north light that can pull its warmth slightly muddy.
Ref. #A8A093 · 440-4DB
Poised Neutral
36%LRV Value
Poised Neutral Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Poised Neutral (440-4DB)? It's a medium warm gray — hex #A8A093, LRV 36. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Poised Neutral is Sherwin-Williams Intellectual Gray — a near-identical match on the wall, with Behr Jackal and Benjamin Moore River Reflections also close. Its LRV of 36 gives Poised Neutral depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. As a warm neutral, Poised Neutral 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. At mid depth, Poised Neutral grounds a space without darkening it — it holds up on lower walls, kitchen islands, and as a wraparound where a lighter neutral would feel washed out. 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. At mid depth Poised Neutral holds its character across bulb temperatures, shifting only slightly warm under 2700K and slightly crisper under cool daylight.
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Colors Similar to Poised Neutral
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Intellectual Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Jackal
Behr
Nearly identical
River Reflections
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Feldspar
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Drifting Sand
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Wood Shadow
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Greyswood
Kilz
Nearly identical
Graceful Gray
Valspar
Nearly identical
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Poised Neutral
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Poised Neutral
#A8A093
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 Poised Neutral
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Poised Neutral 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Poised Neutral.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Poised Neutral — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Poised Neutral from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Poised Neutral are Intellectual Gray by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Jackal by Behr (a near-identical match), River Reflections by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Poised Neutral's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Poised Neutral?
Poised Neutral has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 35.6, 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. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Poised Neutral
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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Poised Neutral depends on the room. Here's how to choose.