Thundercloud Gray vs RAL 860-3
Thundercloud Gray (Benjamin Moore) and RAL 860-3 (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. Thundercloud Gray reads as blue-grey, while RAL 860-3 reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 4-point LRV gap — 54 for RAL 860-3 vs 50 for Thundercloud Gray — means RAL 860-3 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 2.6 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Thundercloud Gray vs RAL 860-3 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Thundercloud Gray and RAL 860-3 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
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. RAL 860-3 has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. RAL 860-3 has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Thundercloud Gray vs RAL 860-3 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Thundercloud Gray on one side and RAL 860-3 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 Thundercloud Gray comparisons
See how Thundercloud Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
