Portland Gray vs Iron Ore
Portland Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Portland Gray reads as greige-grey, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 55-point LRV gap — 60 for Portland Gray vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Portland Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where Portland Gray leans red, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 54.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Portland Gray vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Portland Gray and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Dining Room
Dining rooms often rely on warm incandescent or candlelight, which flatters warm undertones and mutes cool ones. The LRV gap is large enough that Portland Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Iron Ore would.
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. Portland Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Portland Gray vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Portland Gray on one side and Iron Ore 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 Portland Gray comparisons
See how Portland Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 60), opening up a space where Portland Gray encloses it.
A 9-point LRV gap (69 vs 60) makes Ammonite the marginally brighter of the two.
A 8-point LRV gap (60 vs 52) makes Portland Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 30, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Portland Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 60 vs 52), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 60 vs 60), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 60 and 58, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Portland Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 43, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 4, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Portland Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 60 vs 55), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Portland Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Portland Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 60, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 21, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reads slightly lighter (LRV 66 vs 60), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 60), opening up a space where Portland Gray encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 60), opening up a space where Portland Gray encloses it.
Portland Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reads slightly lighter (LRV 68 vs 60), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 60 vs 41, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (68 vs 60) makes Calamine the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 25, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Portland Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Portland Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 31, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 7, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 24, Portland Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 60 vs 57), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 12-point LRV gap (72 vs 60) makes Just Walnut the marginally brighter of the two.