French Gray vs RAL 830-2
Where French Gray belongs to Farrow & Ball's range, RAL 830-2 is a RAL Effect color. Hue-wise, French Gray belongs to the beige-greige family and RAL 830-2 to the grey family. French Gray (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than RAL 830-2 (LRV 38), a difference of 5 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 12.3, 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 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
French Gray vs RAL 830-2 in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing French Gray and RAL 830-2 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 brightness difference is modest but present — French Gray gives the walls a little more lift.
Color Details
French Gray vs RAL 830-2 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see French Gray on one side and RAL 830-2 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.
