French Gray 18 is a beige paint color from Farrow & Ball. It has a hex value of #B5B19A, estimated 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.
Farrow & Ball · #B5B19A · 18
French Gray
44%Estimated LRV
NeutralUndertone
French Gray Technical Profile
HEX Code#B5B19A
RGB181, 177, 154
Estimated LRV43.6
UndertoneNeutral
Digital swatches and calculated matches are approximations. Catalog LRV values may be calculated estimates, not manufacturer measurements. Data and matching method. Check the brand reference and physical samples before purchase.
Color Familybeige
BrandFarrow & Ball
Test it in your room
Place physical samples beside your flooring and trim. Check them in daylight and with your evening lights before buying paint.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Compare alternatives to French Gray
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Desert Sandstorm
Behr
#B5B09B
Close digital match
Sage
Sherwin-Williams
#B3AE95
Close digital match
Stepping Stone
Dunn-Edwards
#B3AE99
Close digital match
Chimayo Sage
PPG
#B9B49F
Close digital match
Cheyenne Green
Benjamin Moore
#B0AC94
Close digital match
Soothing Sage
Valspar
#B4AC95
Similar digital color
Historic Shade
Hirshfield's
#ADA791
Similar digital color
Greywood
Dutch Boy
#ABA793
Similar digital color
Historic Shade
Vista Paint
#ABA68F
Similar digital color
Pebble Grey
RAL
#B8B799
Similar digital color
Almost Sage
Kilz
#ACAC90
Similar digital color
Stone .05
Colorhouse
#AAA593
Similar digital color
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.
Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With French Gray
These are generated digital colors, not named manufacturer paints. Use the palette tools to find paint candidates, then compare physical samples.
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
Digital 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. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match French Gray from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to French Gray are Desert Sandstorm by Behr (a close digital match), Sage by Sherwin-Williams (a close digital match), Stepping Stone by Dunn-Edwards (a close digital 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 estimated lightness value 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.