Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168) records 23.07% LRV and 55.4 L*_HK lightness (#86847C, RGB 134/132/124). Its CIELAB coordinates (L*=55.1, a*=-0.77, b*=4.58, C*=4.64, h°=99.5°) place HC-168 in the Warm Yellow-Cream class. Top cross-brand matches for Chelsea Gray (HC-168) are Behr Barnwood Gray (PPU24-07, ΔE=0.64) and Sherwin-Williams Classic French Gray (SW 77, ΔE=1.88).
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168, #86847C) is compared against competitor swatches under ISO/CIE 11664-6 (ΔE2000) and ASTM E308.
| Role / Brand | Paint Color Name & Code | HEX Code | LRV % | Undertone Profile | CIE ΔE 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOURCE (Benjamin Moore) | Chelsea Gray (HC-168) | #86847C | 23.07% | Warm Yellow-Cream | 0.00 (Ref) |
| Behr #1 | Barnwood Gray (PPU24-07) | #87857E | 23% | Warm Yellow-Cream | ΔE 0.64 (98.7%) |
| Behr #2 | Pier (PPU8-22) | #88857D | 24% | Warm Yellow-Cream | ΔE 0.71 (98.5%) |
| Sherwin-Williams #1 | Classic French Gray (SW 77) | #888782 | 24.2% | Soft Green-Beige | ΔE 1.88 (96.1%) |
| Sherwin-Williams #2 | Mountain Road (SW 7743) | #868578 | 23.26% | Soft Green-Beige | ΔE 2.57 (94.6%) |
Sub-threshold ΔE=0.64 match for HC-168: Barnwood Gray (PPU24-07) delivers identical 23% reflectance to HC-168 with -0.57 softer C*=4.07 chroma.
Sub-threshold ΔE=0.71 match for HC-168: Pier (PPU8-22) delivers identical 24% reflectance to HC-168 with matched C*=4.73 saturation.
Cross-room ΔE=1.1 equivalent for HC-168: Wet Cement (HDC-NT-23) delivers identical 24% reflectance to HC-168 with matched C*=4.62 saturation.
Cross-room ΔE=1.88 equivalent for HC-168: Classic French Gray (SW 77) delivers +1.1 LRV points lighter than Chelsea Gray (HC-168) with -1.77 softer C*=2.87 chroma.
Visual ΔE=2.57 alternative to HC-168: Mountain Road (SW 7743) delivers identical 23.26% reflectance to HC-168 with +2.8 higher C*=7.44 chroma.
Visual ΔE=3.27 alternative to HC-168: Link Gray (SW 6200) delivers -2.4 LRV points deeper than Chelsea Gray (HC-168) with +2.3 higher C*=6.94 chroma.
Coordinated ceiling, trim, wall, sightline, and accent pairings for Chelsea Gray (#86847C, LRV 23.07%).
Chelsea Gray (HC-168, b*=4.58) counteracts cool northern sky cast without shifting dingy.
Bleached Ash, Nordic Pine & Honed Slate under HC-168
3000K–3500K CRI 95+ LED for HC-168 (2700K shifts to #997F68)
Need Chelsea Gray (HC-168, LRV 23.07%) brighter or deeper? Adjacent Benjamin Moore fan-deck steps around #86847C:
Calculate exact gallon volume for Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168) accounting for standard North American door (21 sq.ft.) and window (15 sq.ft.) deductions.
Code HC-168 (Chelsea Gray) reflects 23.07% of incident D65 light. Measured in CAM16-UCS uniform space, Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168) registers J'=58.0, a'=-0.94, and b'=3.63 with HSL (48°, 4%, 51%) and Helmholtz-Kohlrausch perceived value 55.4 L*_HK. Because HC-168 carries a*=-0.77 red-green and b*=4.58 yellow-blue balance at chroma C*=4.64, Chelsea Gray projects a warm warm yellow-cream character across drywall and millwork.
Thermal lighting shifts Benjamin Moore HC-168 predictably. Under 5000K noon daylight, Chelsea Gray (HC-168) holds its native #8B8377 swatch; at 4000K cool office LED, HC-168 adapts to #8F8271; at 3500K halogen, Chelsea Gray transitions to #92816D; at 3000K residential LED, HC-168 warms to #96806A; and under 2700K evening bulbs, Chelsea Gray (HC-168) settles at #997F68.
When cross-matching Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168, #86847C), Behr Barnwood Gray (PPU24-07, #87857E, LRV 23%) scores ΔE2000=0.64 and CAM16=0.62, followed by Pier (PPU8-22, ΔE=0.71). In Sherwin-Williams, Classic French Gray (SW 77, #888782, LRV 24.2%) achieves ΔE2000=1.88 ahead of Mountain Road (SW 7743, ΔE=2.57). Coordinate HC-168 with Chantilly Lace (OC-65) ceilings, White (OC-151) trim, Baltic Gray (1467) hallways, and Seapearl (OC-19) accents.
Spectrophotometric answers for homeowners, interior designers, and painting contractors specifying Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray.
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168) records an official Light Reflectance Value of 23.07% (#86847C) and a Helmholtz-Kohlrausch perceived lightness of 55.4 L*_HK.
At 23.07% reflectance, Chelsea Gray (HC-168) is a deep statement Benjamin Moore shade (L*=55.1, RGB 134/132/124) suited for cabinetry, islands, or exterior accents.
CIELAB telemetry (L*=55.1, a*=-0.77, b*=4.58) classifies Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168) as a Warm Warm Yellow-Cream with C*=4.64 chroma and h°=99.5° hue.
Pair Chelsea Gray (HC-168) with North & East Windows for HC-168 (23.07% LRV) and Bleached Ash, Nordic Pine & Honed Slate under HC-168. Under 2700K evening bulbs, HC-168 shifts from #86847C toward #997F68.
Closest verified equivalents to Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168, #86847C) are Behr Barnwood Gray (PPU24-07, #87857E) at ΔE2000=0.64 and Sherwin-Williams Classic French Gray (SW 77, #888782) at ΔE2000=1.88.
Both PPU24-07 and SW 77 matches are verified against Chelsea Gray (HC-168) in CIE ΔE2000 and CAM16-UCS space.
Alongside Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168, LRV 23.07%), our Ou-Luo harmony engine specifies Benjamin Moore White (OC-151, #EDEEEB, LRV 85.17%) in Semi-Gloss or Satin.
Pairing White (OC-151) with Chelsea Gray (HC-168) frames door casings and baseboards cleanly.