Color spec
| Brand | Dutch Boy |
| Name | Padlock Gray |
| SKU | 438-4DB |
| Hex | #9B9893 |
| RGB | 155, 152, 147 |
| HSL | 38°, 4%, 59% |
| LRV | 31 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| Family | Gray |
About Dutch Boy Padlock Gray
Padlock Gray sits in the mid-range at LRV 31, 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.
Padlock Gray 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 at every US brand
13 brands · top 5 each5 closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Valspar
C2 Paint
Behr
Farrow & Ball
Magnolia Home
Dunn-Edwards
Benjamin Moore
PPG / Glidden
Kompozit
Clare
Diamond Vogel
Backdrop
Similar Dutch Boy colors
closest in the Dutch Boy deckThe nearest shades to Padlock Gray within Dutch Boy'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 #9B9893 in HSL space. Pair Padlock Gray 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.
Dutch Boy Padlock Gray Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Padlock Gray 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 Dutch Boy 438-4DB directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Padlock Gray
The closest Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Padlock Gray is Pewter Cast (SW 7673). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31). If Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Pewter Cast and you'll get the same color. See the full Pewter Cast swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Padlock Gray
The closest Valspar equivalent of Padlock Gray is Stone Age (M102). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 31.5 vs 31). If Valspar is your counter, order Stone Age and you'll get the same color. See the full Stone Age swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Padlock Gray
The closest C2 Paint equivalent of Padlock Gray is Tin Man (C2-970). At ΔE 0.7 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 32 vs 31). If C2 Paint is your counter, order Tin Man and you'll get the same color. See the full Tin Man swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Padlock Gray
Farrow & Ball's nearest match is Worsted (NO. 284), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.44). It runs slightly lighter (LRV 33 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Padlock Gray without repainting risk. See the full Worsted swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Hare's Tail Grass (DEGR28) — very close at ΔE 2.05, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31) and carries a warm yellow undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Hare's Tail Grass swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At Behr, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Dolphin Gray (HDC-NT-10A) — very close at ΔE 2.37, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 32 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Dolphin Gray swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Playing Possum (PPG0997-5) — very close at ΔE 2.71, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Playing Possum swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Gothic Arch (CSP-80) — very close at ΔE 2.78, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Gothic Arch swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At Kompozit, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Jet Gray (0548) — very close at ΔE 2.96, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 33 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Jet Gray swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At Clare, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Shade (PNT100-MD-14) — very close at ΔE 3.29, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 28 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Shade swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Padlock Gray
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Padlock Gray is Sparrow (0554) — very close at ΔE 3.39, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 32 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Sparrow swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Padlock Gray
Magnolia Home has no exact twin of Padlock Gray. The nearest is Times Past (JG-94) at ΔE 4.83 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Times Past swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Padlock Gray
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Padlock Gray — the nearest deck color, Anita (BD-AN), is clearly different (ΔE 7.17). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 438-4DB instead. See the full Anita swatch →