Oxford Gray vs RAL 180-1
Where Oxford Gray belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, RAL 180-1 is a RAL Effect color. Hue-wise, Oxford Gray belongs to the blue-grey family and RAL 180-1 to the blue family. RAL 180-1 (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Oxford Gray (LRV 29), a difference of 20 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 16.7, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Oxford Gray vs RAL 180-1 in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Oxford Gray and RAL 180-1 in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. RAL 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Oxford Gray.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. RAL 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Oxford Gray.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. RAL 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Oxford Gray.
Color Details
Oxford Gray vs RAL 180-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Oxford Gray on one side and RAL 180-1 on the other.
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.
