Color spec
| Brand | Behr |
| Name | Chain Reaction |
| SKU | PPU25-16 |
| Hex | #A4A6A4 |
| RGB | 164, 166, 164 |
| HSL | 120°, 1%, 65% |
| LRV | 38 |
| Undertone | neutral with no strong undertone |
| Family | Gray |
About Behr Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction sits in the mid-range at LRV 38, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Chain Reaction is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
Closest matches by brand
17 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Clare
Backdrop
Kompozit
Similar Behr colors
closest in the Behr deckThe nearest shades to Chain Reaction within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #A4A6A4 in HSL space. Pair Chain Reaction with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Behr Chain Reaction Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Chain Reaction from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Behr PPU25-16 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Breakwater (SW 9638), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.99). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Chain Reaction without repainting risk. See the full Breakwater swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Benjamin Moore's nearest match is Slate (CW-700), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.7). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Chain Reaction without repainting risk. See the full Slate swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Valspar's nearest match is Classic Grayscale (V121-2), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.73). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38.4 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Chain Reaction without repainting risk. See the full Classic Grayscale swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Chain Reaction
The closest PPG / Glidden equivalent of Chain Reaction is Stepping Stone (PPG1010-4). At ΔE 0.96 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38). If PPG / Glidden is your counter, order Stepping Stone and you'll get the same color. See the full Stepping Stone swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Chain Reaction
The closest Glidden equivalent of Chain Reaction is Stepping Stone (PPG1010-4). At ΔE 0.85 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). If Glidden is your counter, order Stepping Stone and you'll get the same color. See the full Stepping Stone swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Chain Reaction
The closest Dutch Boy equivalent of Chain Reaction is Ironed Gray (436-4DB). At ΔE 0.71 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). If Dutch Boy is your counter, order Ironed Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Ironed Gray swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Wormwood (HGSW 1505) — very close at ΔE 2.95, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Wormwood swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Baby Seal (DE6361) — very close at ΔE 2.78, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 35 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Baby Seal swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Chain Reaction
At Magnolia Home, the closest color to Chain Reaction is Vintage Weathervane (JG-137) — very close at ΔE 2.5, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Vintage Weathervane swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Farrow & Ball's nearest match is Manor House Gray (NO. 265), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.92). It runs slightly darker (LRV 35 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Chain Reaction without repainting risk. See the full Manor House Gray swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Diamond Vogel's nearest match is Techile (0533), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.45). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Chain Reaction without repainting risk. See the full Techile swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Shark Fin (0574) at ΔE 3.78 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Shark Fin swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Chain Reaction
C2 Paint has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Chain Reaction (C2-985) at ΔE 4.16 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 38). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Chain Reaction swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Backdrop has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Nuevo (BD-NU) at ΔE 3.86 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Nuevo swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Chain Reaction
Kompozit has no exact twin of Chain Reaction. The nearest is Shark Fin (0574) at ΔE 3.78 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 38). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Shark Fin swatch →