Essential Gray 6002 is a gray paint color from Sherwin-Williams. It has a hex value of #BCB8B6, LRV 48 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is North Island from Hirshfield's (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #BCB8B6 · 6002
Essential Gray
48%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Essential Gray Technical Profile
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Essential Gray in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Essential Gray in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Sherwin-WilliamsEssential Gray
Nearly identical
Hirshfield'sNorth Island
North Island
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Gray Marble
PPG
Nearly identical
Nightingale
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Postcard
Kilz
Nearly identical
Ganymede
Valspar
Nearly identical
North Island
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Grape CrÈme
Behr
Nearly identical
Covered in Platinum
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Gracious Gray
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Agate Grey
RAL
Very similar
Dove Tale
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Essential 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 Essential Gray
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Essential Gray
#BCB8B6
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#ADA785
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Essential Gray
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Essential 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 Sherwin-Williams Colors
Other Sherwin-Williams colors close to Essential Gray.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Essential Gray — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Essential Gray have?
Essential Gray by Sherwin-Williams has a neutral undertone and sits in the gray color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Essential Gray in your own space before committing.
What colors match Essential Gray from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Essential Gray are North Island by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Gray Marble by PPG (a near-identical match), Nightingale by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Essential 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 Essential Gray?
Essential Gray has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 48.3, 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 Essential 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 Essential Gray's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.