Color spec
| Brand | Glidden |
| Name | Philosophical Grey |
| SKU | 50BG 39/022 |
| Hex | #A4A9AC |
| RGB | 164, 169, 172 |
| HSL | 203°, 5%, 66% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| Family | Gray |
About Glidden Philosophical Grey
Philosophical Grey sits in the mid-range at LRV 39, 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.
Philosophical Grey 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
20 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
Behr
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Clare
Portola Paints
Annie Sloan
Backdrop
Rust-Oleum
Kompozit
Similar Glidden colors
closest in the Glidden deckThe nearest shades to Philosophical Grey within Glidden'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 #A4A9AC in HSL space. Pair Philosophical Grey 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.
Glidden Philosophical Grey Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Philosophical Grey 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 Glidden 50BG 39/022 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Gris (SW 7659) — very close at ΔE 2.17, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Gris swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At Behr, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Portsmouth Bay (QE-52) — very close at ΔE 3.38, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Portsmouth Bay swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Benjamin Moore's nearest match is Shadow Gray (2125-40), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.17). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Philosophical Grey without repainting risk. See the full Shadow Gray swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Valspar's nearest match is Cloud Mountain (V115-2), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.74). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38.4 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Philosophical Grey without repainting risk. See the full Cloud Mountain swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Stepping Stone (PPG1010-4) — very close at ΔE 3.29, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Stepping Stone swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Ironed Gray (436-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.27, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Ironed Gray swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Steel Piling (HGSW 1475) — very close at ΔE 2.17, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Steel Piling swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Castlerock (DE6375) — very close at ΔE 2.06, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 37 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Castlerock swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Magnolia Home has no exact twin of Philosophical Grey. The nearest is Weathered Windmill (JG-15) at ΔE 4.84 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Weathered Windmill swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Farrow & Ball doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Dix Blue (NO. 82), is clearly different (ΔE 9.04). For an exact match, any Farrow & Ball retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Dix Blue swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Pale Slate (H045) — very close at ΔE 3.36, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39) and carries a cool blue-green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Pale Slate swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Philosophical Grey. The nearest is Citadel Blue (H0045) at ΔE 3.76 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Citadel Blue swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Rodda doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Wild and Free (R104), is clearly different (ΔE 5.53). For an exact match, any Rodda retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Wild and Free swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
At C2 Paint, the closest color to Philosophical Grey is Monday Morning (C2-987) — very close at ΔE 2.37, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Monday Morning swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Clare doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Mellow Mood (PNT100-DP-78), is clearly different (ΔE 7.69). For an exact match, any Clare retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Mellow Mood swatch →
Portola Paints Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Portola Paints doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Aberdeen (ABERDEEN), is clearly different (ΔE 7.35). For an exact match, any Portola Paints retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Aberdeen swatch →
Annie Sloan Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Annie Sloan doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Duck Egg Blue (DUCK EGG BLUE), is clearly different (ΔE 10.67). For an exact match, any Annie Sloan retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Duck Egg Blue swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Nuevo (BD-NU), is clearly different (ΔE 6.36). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Nuevo swatch →
Rust-Oleum Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Rust-Oleum doesn't make a true equivalent of Philosophical Grey — the nearest deck color, Blue Harbor (371675), is clearly different (ΔE 9.24). For an exact match, any Rust-Oleum retailer can custom-tint Glidden 50BG 39/022 instead. See the full Blue Harbor swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Philosophical Grey
Kompozit has no exact twin of Philosophical Grey. The nearest is Beacon Fog (0490) at ΔE 4.17 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Beacon Fog swatch →