Storm Cloud Gray vs French Gray

Where Storm Cloud Gray belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, French Gray is a Farrow & Ball color. Hue-wise, Storm Cloud Gray belongs to the grey family and French Gray to the beige-greige family. French Gray (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than Storm Cloud Gray (LRV 29), a difference of 14 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Storm Cloud Gray runs yellow while French Gray is decidedly warm, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 12.9, 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.

Storm Cloud Gray vs French Gray in Real Spaces

3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Storm Cloud Gray and French Gray 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

In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that French Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Storm Cloud Gray would.

Storm Cloud GrayBenjamin Moore Storm Cloud Gray Hallway Paint

@second.coat.painting

French GrayFarrow and Ball 18 living room paint

@over_at_overview

Bedroom

The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. French Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Storm Cloud Gray.

French GrayFarrow and Ball French Gray bedroom color review

@renovating_a_nightmare

Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. French Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Storm Cloud Gray.

Storm Cloud GrayKitchen Cabinets

@hometheologydesign

French GrayFrench Gray kitchen cabinets photo

@myfirstvictorianhome_247

Color Details

Storm Cloud Gray
Benjamin Moore · 2140-40
Hex#919284
LRV28.9
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number2140-40
UndertoneYellow
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessMedium
French Gray
Farrow & Ball · 18
Hex#b5b19a
LRV43.3
BrandFarrow & Ball
Number18
Undertone
TemperatureWarm
BrightnessMedium

Storm Cloud Gray vs French Gray Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Storm Cloud Gray on one side and French Gray 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 Storm Cloud Gray comparisons

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

Storm Cloud Gray
White Dove
Storm Cloud Gray
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Ammonite
Storm Cloud Gray
Ammonite
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

At LRV 69 vs 29, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Iron Ore
Storm Cloud Gray
Iron Ore
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Storm Cloud Gray reflects far more light (LRV 29 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Purbeck Stone
Storm Cloud Gray
Purbeck Stone
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

At LRV 52 vs 29, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Evergreen Fog
Storm Cloud Gray
Evergreen Fog
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 30 vs 29), so neither reads brighter in a room.

Storm Cloud Gray
Mizzle
Storm Cloud Gray
Mizzle
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Agreeable Gray
Storm Cloud Gray
Agreeable Gray
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

At LRV 60 vs 29, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Accessible Beige
Storm Cloud Gray
Accessible Beige
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Denim Drift
Storm Cloud Gray
Denim Drift
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

With LRVs of 29 and 27, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.

Storm Cloud Gray
Naval
Storm Cloud Gray
Naval
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Sherwin-Williams
Naval
LRV 4

At LRV 29 vs 4, Storm Cloud Gray is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Tranquil Dawn
Storm Cloud Gray
Tranquil Dawn
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Bancha
Storm Cloud Gray
Bancha
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Farrow & Ball
Bancha
LRV 13

Storm Cloud Gray reflects far more light (LRV 29 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Hardwick White
Storm Cloud Gray
Hardwick White
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Pure White
Storm Cloud Gray
Pure White
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

At LRV 84 vs 29, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Artichoke
Storm Cloud Gray
Artichoke
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Sherwin-Williams
Artichoke
LRV 21

A 7-point LRV gap (29 vs 21) makes Storm Cloud Gray the marginally brighter of the two.

Balboa Mist
Storm Cloud Gray
Balboa Mist
Storm Cloud Gray
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Shoji White
Storm Cloud Gray
Shoji White
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Snowbound
Storm Cloud Gray
Snowbound
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Sherwin-Williams
Snowbound
LRV 83

Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Pewter Green
Storm Cloud Gray
Pewter Green
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Storm Cloud Gray reflects far more light (LRV 29 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Skimming Stone
Storm Cloud Gray
Skimming Stone
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Dix Blue
Storm Cloud Gray
Dix Blue
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Farrow & Ball
Dix Blue
LRV 41

At LRV 41 vs 29, Dix Blue is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Calamine
Storm Cloud Gray
Calamine
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Farrow & Ball
Calamine
LRV 68

At LRV 68 vs 29, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Treron
Storm Cloud Gray
Treron
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
Farrow & Ball
Treron
LRV 25

A 4-point LRV gap (29 vs 25) makes Storm Cloud Gray the marginally brighter of the two.

Storm Cloud Gray
Vintage Vogue
Storm Cloud Gray
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Storm Cloud Gray reflects far more light (LRV 29 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.

Saybrook Sage
Storm Cloud Gray
Saybrook Sage
Storm Cloud Gray
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 29), opening up a space where Storm Cloud Gray encloses it.

Storm Cloud Gray
Pale Green
Storm Cloud Gray
Pale Green
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 29), so neither reads brighter in a room.

Storm Cloud Gray
Pine Needle
Storm Cloud Gray
Pine Needle
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

At LRV 29 vs 7, Storm Cloud Gray is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Cement grey
Storm Cloud Gray
Cement grey
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

A 5-point LRV gap (29 vs 24) makes Storm Cloud Gray the marginally brighter of the two.

Guilford Green
Storm Cloud Gray
Guilford Green
Storm Cloud Gray
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

At LRV 57 vs 29, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.

Storm Cloud Gray
Just Walnut
Storm Cloud Gray
Just Walnut
Benjamin Moore
Storm Cloud Gray
2140-40 · LRV 29

At LRV 72 vs 29, Just Walnut is decisively the brighter choice.