Oxford Gray vs Thunder paint color comparison

Oxford Gray vs Thunder

Oxford GrayBenjamin MoorevsThunderBenjamin MooreΔE 22.7 — Distinct difference

Oxford Gray and Thunder come from the same Benjamin Moore collection. Oxford Gray reads as blue-grey, while Thunder reads as greige-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 19-point LRV gap — 48 for Thunder vs 29 for Oxford Gray — means Thunder will open up a space more effectively. Where Oxford Gray leans blue, Thunder reads red — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 22.7 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.

Oxford Gray vs Thunder in Real Spaces

4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Oxford Gray and Thunder in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.

Bedroom

Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Thunder returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.

Oxford GrayBenjamin Moore Oxford Gray bedroom paint

@patriciaclairephotography

ThunderAf-685 Bedroom

@leannegaudreau

Bathroom

Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Thunder returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.

Oxford GrayBenjamin Moore Oxford Gray bathroom color

@kthometrends_njrealestate

ThunderBenjamin Moore Thunder Bathroom Wall Panelling

@sarah.n.design

Mudroom

In a hardworking space like a mudroom, the depth and warmth of a color reads differently than in a quieter room. The LRV gap is large enough that Thunder will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Oxford Gray would.

Oxford GrayBenjamin Moore Oxford Gray laundry room

@abacusfurniture

ThunderThunder Laundry Room Cabinets

@soipaintedit

Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Thunder returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.

Oxford GrayBenjamin Moore Oxford Gray kitchen cabinets color

@the_refinisher

ThunderBenjamin Moore Thunder Kitchen Cabinets

@colorsbykelly

Color Details

Oxford Gray
Benjamin Moore · 2128-40
LRV28.8
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number2128-40
UndertoneBlue
TemperatureCool
BrightnessMedium
Thunder
Benjamin Moore · AF-685
LRV47.6
BrandBenjamin Moore
NumberAF-685
UndertoneRed
TemperatureWarm
BrightnessMedium

Oxford Gray vs Thunder Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Oxford Gray on one side and Thunder on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.