Sterling vs RAL 180-1
Sterling (Benjamin Moore) and RAL 180-1 (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Sterling belongs to the grey family and RAL 180-1 to the blue family. The 14-point LRV gap — 62 for Sterling vs 49 for RAL 180-1 — means Sterling will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 11.7 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.
Sterling vs RAL 180-1 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Sterling 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.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Sterling reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 180-1.
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. Sterling returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Sterling vs RAL 180-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Sterling 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 Sterling comparisons
See how Sterling stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
