Shadow Gray vs RAL 180-1
Where Shadow Gray belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, RAL 180-1 is a RAL Effect color. Shadow Gray reads as blue-grey, while RAL 180-1 reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. RAL 180-1 (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Shadow Gray (LRV 40), a difference of 9 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 7.5 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Shadow Gray vs RAL 180-1 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Shadow Gray and RAL 180-1 are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
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 Shadow 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 Shadow Gray.
Color Details
Shadow Gray vs RAL 180-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Shadow 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 Shadow Gray comparisons
See how Shadow Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
