French Gray 18 is a beige paint color from Farrow & Ball. It has a hex value of #B5B19A, LRV 44 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Desert Sandstorm from Behr (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #B5B19A · 18
French Gray
44%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
French Gray Technical Profile
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French Gray in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to French Gray in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Farrow & BallFrench Gray
Nearly identical
BehrDesert Sandstorm
Desert Sandstorm
Behr
Nearly identical
Sage
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Stepping Stone
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Chimayo Sage
PPG
Nearly identical
Cheyenne Green
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Soothing Sage
Valspar
Very similar
Historic Shade
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Greywood
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Historic Shade
Vista Paint
Very similar
Pebble Grey
RAL
Very similar
Almost Sage
Kilz
Very similar
Stone .05
Colorhouse
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of French Gray — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With French Gray
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
French Gray
#B5B19A
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9FAD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for French Gray
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
French Gray 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 Farrow & Ball Colors
Other Farrow & Ball colors close to French Gray.
More beige colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the beige family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
French Gray — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does French Gray have?
French Gray by Farrow & Ball has a neutral undertone and sits in the beige color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample French Gray in your own space before committing.
What colors match French Gray from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to French Gray are Desert Sandstorm by Behr (a near-identical match), Sage by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Stepping Stone by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting French Gray'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 French Gray?
French Gray has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 43.6, 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.
Explore More with French Gray
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 French Gray's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.