Oxford Gray vs Thunder

Oxford GrayBenjamin MoorevsThunderBenjamin MooreΔE 22.7Distinct 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
Hex#8290A0
LRV28.8
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number2128-40
UndertoneBlue
TemperatureCool
BrightnessMedium
Thunder
Benjamin Moore · AF-685
Hex#BDB8AD
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.

More Oxford Gray comparisons

See how Oxford Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

White Dove
Oxford Gray
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
White Dove
LRV 83

White Dove is the lighter choice

Ammonite
Oxford Gray
Ammonite
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite is the lighter choice

Iron Ore
Oxford Gray
Iron Ore
Sherwin-Williams
Iron Ore
LRV 6

Oxford Gray reads noticeably lighter

Purbeck Stone
Oxford Gray
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Purbeck Stone
LRV 52

Purbeck Stone reads noticeably lighter

Evergreen Fog
Oxford Gray
Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams
Evergreen Fog
LRV 30

Nearly identical in tone

Mizzle
Oxford Gray
Mizzle
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Mizzle reads noticeably lighter

Agreeable Gray
Oxford Gray
Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Agreeable Gray
LRV 60

Agreeable Gray is the lighter choice

Denim Drift
Oxford Gray
Denim Drift
Dulux
Denim Drift
LRV 27

Nearly identical in tone

Tranquil Dawn
Oxford Gray
Tranquil Dawn
Dulux
Tranquil Dawn
LRV 55

Tranquil Dawn is the lighter choice

Balboa Mist
Oxford Gray
Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist
LRV 66

Balboa Mist is the lighter choice

Vintage Vogue
Oxford Gray
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Vintage Vogue
LRV 12

Oxford Gray reads noticeably lighter

Pale Green
Oxford Gray
Pale Green
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Nearly identical in tone

Pine Needle
Oxford Gray
Pine Needle
Dulux
Pine Needle
LRV 7

Oxford Gray reads noticeably lighter

Cement grey
Oxford Gray
Cement grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

Oxford Gray reads slightly lighter

Black grey
Oxford Gray
Black grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Black grey
LRV 6

Oxford Gray reads noticeably lighter

Piazza
Oxford Gray
Piazza
Tikkurila
Piazza
LRV 65

Piazza is the lighter choice

Humble Yellow
Oxford Gray
Humble Yellow
Jotun
Humble Yellow
LRV 57

Humble Yellow is the lighter choice

Windmill Lane
Oxford Gray
Windmill Lane
Little Greene
Windmill Lane
LRV 31

Nearly identical in tone

Senses
Oxford Gray
Senses
Jotun
Senses
LRV 41

Senses reads noticeably lighter

Lamp Black
Oxford Gray
Lamp Black
Little Greene
Lamp Black
LRV 3

Oxford Gray is the lighter choice

Washed Linen
Oxford Gray
Washed Linen
Jotun
Washed Linen
LRV 55

Washed Linen is the lighter choice

Tea with Florence
Oxford Gray
Tea with Florence
Little Greene
Tea with Florence
LRV 18

Oxford Gray reads slightly lighter

Thames Fog
Oxford Gray
Thames Fog
Valspar
Thames Fog
LRV 27

Nearly identical in tone

Ocean Abyss
Oxford Gray
Ocean Abyss
Behr
Ocean Abyss
LRV 7

Oxford Gray reads noticeably lighter

Classic Silver
Oxford Gray
Classic Silver
Behr
Classic Silver
LRV 48

Classic Silver reads noticeably lighter

Teton Blue
Oxford Gray
Teton Blue
Behr
Teton Blue
LRV 31

Nearly identical in tone

RAL 110-2
Oxford Gray
RAL 110-2
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-2
LRV 72

RAL 110-2 is the lighter choice

RAL 110-1
Oxford Gray
RAL 110-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-1
LRV 80

RAL 110-1 is the lighter choice

Paper
Oxford Gray
Paper
Tikkurila
Paper
LRV 88

Paper is the lighter choice

Passageway
Oxford Gray
Passageway
Valspar
Passageway
LRV 14

Oxford Gray reads noticeably lighter