Same Paint Color, Different Name? How to Know for Sure -

Are these the same paint color? Is this paint color renamed? Are these colors the same or slightly different? What if the names match but the numbers don’t?

These are just a small handful (also what Tim calls me) of questions homeowners ask when they come across two colors that maybe… or maybe aren’t the same shade.

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So today, we’re looking at some of the colors in question (most Benjamin Moore) and answering some of the top questions to clear up the confusion. And if all else fails, there’s always wine.

Same name – different numbers and sometimes different fan deck
Different name – but they look the same
Same name – different brand

To see if the color you’re wondering about made the list, keep reading. This first section is about common questions. The 2nd section includes color lists of the most commonly confused shades.

WHY DO PAINT COLORS HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES OR NUMBERS?

While Sherwin Williams updates the odd color with a more trending or suitable name, dozens of Benjamin Moore paint colors have different names (but are the same color). Thank you, Ben, for confusing the masses.

Some colors are often reused in different collections, especially when they’re popular (like many whites). Their name will remain the same, but the code will be changed to suit the collection (e.g., the Off-White Collection, which starts with OC, followed by a number, or the Designer Classics, which start with CC).
Names may be changed for culturally insensitive/appropriate reasons (e.g., renaming Indian White to Sparkling Wine).
Names are updated with the hopes of being more sellable or appealing to a certain demographic.
If a name is well-known and popular, keeping it but changing its number only is a great way to use it for new collections or branded partnerships.

HOW TO KNOW IF THEY’RE THE SAME COLOR OR NOT

SAME NAME, DIFFERENT BRAND. Even if different paint brands use the same color name, they aren’t the same color. For example, Sherwin Williams Alabaster isn’t the same as Benjamin Moore’s Alabaster.

Same name + different brand = different colors.

SW Alabaster is a beautifully warm, creamy white (above). BM Alabaster can pick up a pink hue.

SAME NAME, SAME BRAND, DIFFERENT FAN DECKS. Whether they’re in the same fan deck (but in different spots) or in different fan decks, if they have the same name, they’re the same color. EVEN IF THE NUMBERS ARE DIFFERENT (and they will be).

Same name + same brand + different fan deck/placement + different number = same color

Whether it’s BM Chantilly Lace 2121-70 or BM Chantilly Lace OC-65 – it’s still Chantilly Lace.

SAME BRAND, DIFFERENT NAME & NUMBER, BUT THEY LOOK DARN SIMILAR. Ahhh, this is always a tricky one. Because the printing process is imperfect, even the same color can look different between fan decks.

With Benjamin Moore, the best way to find out is to go to the color’s page on their website. For example, look at Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl’s page. Notice how partway down it says ‘Also Known As’. There you have it. If a paint color doesn’t have an alter ego, that section isn’t there.

Same name + same brand + slightly different look = same color, even though the numbers don’t match and they don’t look exactly the same.

Whether you call it Revere Pewter or Ice Formations, it’s still the same color.

SAME BRAND, SAME NUMBER, DIFFERENT NAME. This is exclusive to Sherwin Williams (although BM might have a few floating around).

The very odd time, Sherwin updates their color names. Maybe to get more attention to a color or for cultural reasons. Regardless, you get the SAME COLOR, SAME NUMBER, but a new name. For example…

Apparently, Sherwin Williams’ Less Brown 6040 was feeling bad about himself, like he was lesser than the other shades. To wrap it up in a nutshell, he’s now called Nutshell 6040.
Sherwin-Williams Biltmore Buff 7691 stopped going to the gym, so he’s now called Pale Yellow 7691 and is feeling more like himself – he stopped trying to impress people.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS: Same number + same brand + different name = same color.

APPARENTLY THEY’RE THE SAME COLOR, BUT THEY LOOK DIFFERENT…

As per the last section, let’s say you’re looking at colors in 2 different fan decks. They have the same name (and a different number) and don’t look exactly alike. They’re still the same color, and that’s pretty normal.

Why?

Fan decks aren’t real paint; they’re just printed samples. There can be variation in the printing process…

This can make the SAME color look different between fan decks, even though it’s technically the same color.
The color in your fan deck might not exactly match what ends up on your walls, as again, the fan deck contains only printed examples.
There can be variation between old fan decks and freshly printed ones.

Same name + same brand + slightly different look = same color.

This is what I do…

Use my fan decks to narrow down my options to say, 6 options (give or take).
Order those colors from Samplize Peel & Stick, as they use 2 coats of real paint on each sample. They use the mid-line paints (usually eggshell) from each brand. These are far more accurate than printed samples.
Then, I know that my samples/choices will look as close to humanly possible as my soon-to-be-painted walls (knowing there can be small variations between the ‘types’ of paint, e.g., trim paint vs. wall paint, but not much to do about that).

And yes, it’s enough to make your head spin – again, wine helps (and a funnel and a therapist).

BM Natural Linen (above) has different undertones than SW Natural Linen. Same name – different brand = different colors.

PAINT COLORS WITH DIFFERENT NAMES, THAT ARE THE SAME COLOR

While there are more than those listed here, these are the most popular ones.

By the way, I have paint color reviews for almost EVERY SINGLE ONE of these colors. Type any name into my search and see what you find!

Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream and Barely Beige are one and the same
Edgecomb Gray and Alaskan Skies and Baby Fawn
China White (OC-41 or PM-20) and Sea Pearl
Bone White (PM 30 or OC0143) and Natural Wicker
Indian White was renamed to Sparkling Wine OC_88
Creamy White OC-7 and Spring in Aspen 954
White Heron and Oxford White
Pale Oak OC-20 and Athena 858 – yup, same color
Manchester Tan and Berber White
Van Courtland Blue and Water’s Edge
Ballet White OC-9 and Muskoka Trail 974
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter and Ice Formations – yup, same color

Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl (China White) with Cheating Heart front door

PAINT COLORS WITH THE SAME NAME, BUT DIFFERENT NUMBERS

There are TONS of these. I’m listing the most popular colors in each color group (e.g., whites/cream/off-whites/etc). There are more than what’s listed here, so leave a comment if you’re curious about a color you’ve found! Again, use my SEARCH to see a review of these colors…

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Chantilly Lace 2121-70
Natural Wicker OC-1 and Natural Wicker 950
Bone White OC-143 and Bone White PM 30
Decorator’s White CC-120 and Decorators White OC-149
China White OC-41 or China White PM-20
Dove Wing OC-18 and Dove Wing 960
Soft Chamois OC-13 and Soft Chamois 969
Muslin OC_12, Muslin CC-110, Muslin 1037 – same color
Feather Down OC-6 and Feather Down 953
Navajo White
White Dove OC-17 and White Dove PM-19 are the same
Linen White
Cloud White OC-130, Cloud White 967, and Cloud White CC-40 are all the same color
Simply White OC-117 and Simply White 2143-70

QUICK SUMMARY

Same name + same brand + different number (and different fan deck) = same color.
Same name + different brand = different colors.
Same name + same brand + different number…but they look a bit different = same color, it’s only the printing that’s thrown things off.
Same brand, same number, different name = same color.

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