French Gray vs RAL 640-2
Where French Gray belongs to Farrow & Ball's range, RAL 640-2 is a RAL Effect color. French Gray reads as beige-greige, while RAL 640-2 reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. French Gray (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than RAL 640-2 (LRV 13), a difference of 30 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 50.3, 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 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
French Gray vs RAL 640-2 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing French Gray and RAL 640-2 in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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 RAL 640-2.
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. French Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 640-2.
Color Details
French Gray vs RAL 640-2 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see French Gray on one side and RAL 640-2 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 French Gray comparisons
See how French Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
