CP
GLIDDEN · PPG0994-5

Glidden Steel Curtain#9B9F9A · LRV 34

Steel Curtain reads as a true neutral (no measurable hue) — mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light. The notes below cover the spec, what Glidden PPG0994-5 actually looks like under different light, and the closest matches at competing US brands.

GLIDDEN STEEL CURTAIN
RGB 155, 159, 154 LRV 34

Color spec

Brand Glidden
Name Steel Curtain
SKU PPG0994-5
Hex #9B9F9A
RGB 155, 159, 154
HSL 108°, 3%, 61%
LRV 34
Undertone true neutral (no measurable hue)
Family Gray

About Glidden Steel Curtain

Steel Curtain sits in the mid-range at LRV 34, 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.

Steel Curtain 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 each

5 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

1,947 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.63
All gray at Sherwin-Williams →
SW 7660 · #969A96 · ΔE 1.63 · LRV 32
SW 7655 · #A0A09A · ΔE 2.06 · LRV 35
SW 9563 · #9E9D99 · ΔE 2.77 · LRV 34
SW 9132 · #969C92 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 32
SW 7746 · #A19C8F · ΔE 5.31 · LRV 34

Behr

5,644 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.39
All gray at Behr →
PPU11-16 · #9BA19E · ΔE 1.39 · LRV 35
790B-4 · #969D9B · ΔE 2.06 · LRV 33
HDC-SM16-02 · #99A1A1 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 35
MQ6-22 · #9E9E9D · ΔE 3.32 · LRV 34
PPU26-06 · #A0A09F · ΔE 3.38 · LRV 35

Benjamin Moore

3,934 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.87
All gray at Benjamin Moore →
HC-164 · #979F9B · ΔE 1.87 · LRV 34
1600 · #9A9F9E · ΔE 2.11 · LRV 35
AF-700 · #9FA09E · ΔE 2.51 · LRV 36
CSP-110 · #A09E97 · ΔE 3.04 · LRV 34
1461 · #A09E9D · ΔE 4.31 · LRV 35

Valspar

2,858 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.81
All gray at Valspar →
M346 · #959C98 · ΔE 1.81 · LRV 32.3
V120-2 · #9A9B97 · ΔE 1.99 · LRV 32.5
4004-1C · #A1A09B · ΔE 2.66 · LRV 35.2
5006-2A · #A2A199 · ΔE 2.81 · LRV 35.3
8006-11D · #9D9C9C · ΔE 4.3 · LRV 33

PPG / Glidden

2,132 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.5
All gray at PPG / Glidden →
PPG0994-5 · #9C9F9A · ΔE 0.5 · LRV 34
PPG0998-4 · #A29F99 · ΔE 3.61 · LRV 35
PPG0995-5 · #9F9F9F · ΔE 3.82 · LRV 35
UFO
PPG1011-4 · #999FA3 · ΔE 4.9 · LRV 34
PPG0993-4 · #999FA5 · ΔE 5.97 · LRV 34

Dutch Boy

1,340 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.97
All gray at Dutch Boy →
425-4DB · #99A096 · ΔE 2.97 · LRV 34
435-4DB · #9EA3A5 · ΔE 4.04 · LRV 36
438-4DB · #9B9893 · ΔE 4.08 · LRV 31
430-4DB · #93A1A5 · ΔE 5.75 · LRV 35
439-3DB · #A0998F · ΔE 5.84 · LRV 32
HGSW 1473 · #969A96 · ΔE 1.63 · LRV 32
HGSW 7660 · #969A96 · ΔE 1.63 · LRV 32
HGSW 3284 · #969C92 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 32
HGSW 9132 · #969C92 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 32
HGSW 3364 · #979FA5 · ΔE 5.92 · LRV 34

Dunn-Edwards

2,298 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.2
All gray at Dunn-Edwards →
DEGR68 · #999D9A · ΔE 1.2 · LRV 33
DEC789 · #979D9A · ΔE 1.47 · LRV 31
DEGR41 · #9EA095 · ΔE 2.89 · LRV 35
DEGR51 · #A19E98 · ΔE 3.58 · LRV 34
DEGR11 · #A29E97 · ΔE 4.08 · LRV 34

Magnolia Home

160 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.5
All gray at Magnolia Home →
JG-94 · #929898 · ΔE 3.5 · LRV 31
JG-75 · #97A399 · ΔE 4.56 · LRV 35
JG-135 · #A19C96 · ΔE 4.7 · LRV 34
JG-84 · #91A1A4 · ΔE 5.92 · LRV 34
JG-128 · #A39B89 · ΔE 7.46 · LRV 33

Farrow & Ball

209 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.67
All gray at Farrow & Ball →
NO. 265 · #9EA09D · ΔE 1.67 · LRV 35
NO. 25 · #9A9F94 · ΔE 2.99 · LRV 34
NO. 284 · #A09C97 · ΔE 4.27 · LRV 33
NO. 85 · #889B9B · ΔE 6.65 · LRV 31
NO. 19 · #A1A189 · ΔE 7.92 · LRV 35

Diamond Vogel

1,386 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.5
All gray at Diamond Vogel →
0449 · #9DA39A · ΔE 2.5 · LRV 36
0541 · #A1A1A1 · ΔE 3.93 · LRV 36
0478 · #93A09B · ΔE 3.99 · LRV 34
0464 · #96A59D · ΔE 5.23 · LRV 36
0548 · #A09D9D · ΔE 5.26 · LRV 34

Hirshfield's

1,469 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.2
All gray at Hirshfield's →
0449 · #99A098 · ΔE 2.2 · LRV 35
0541 · #9D9E9D · ΔE 2.92 · LRV 35
0533 · #9FA1A1 · ΔE 3.24 · LRV 36
0526 · #99A1A5 · ΔE 4.93 · LRV 36
0548 · #9D9A9A · ΔE 5.35 · LRV 34

Rodda

357 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.28
All gray at Rodda →
R069 · #9CA19A · ΔE 1.28 · LRV 35
R068 · #9FA398 · ΔE 3.06 · LRV 36
R094 · #91999C · ΔE 4.83 · LRV 32
CA195 · #939DA2 · ΔE 5.59 · LRV 33
R074 · #8DA09F · ΔE 6.23 · LRV 34

C2 Paint

580 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.31
All gray at C2 Paint →
C2-954 · #959E95 · ΔE 3.31 · LRV 33
C2-969 · #9B9B9B · ΔE 3.9 · LRV 33
C2-972 · #A09C94 · ΔE 4.13 · LRV 33
C2-955 · #9E9E90 · ΔE 4.31 · LRV 34
C2-796 · #A69E96 · ΔE 6.16 · LRV 35

Clare

78 colors in deck · best ΔE 5.53
All gray at Clare →
PNT100-LT-15 · #9CA2A7 · ΔE 5.53 · LRV 36
PNT100-DP-78 · #99AAA4 · ΔE 6.08 · LRV 38
PNT100-LT-38 · #90A6AE · ΔE 8.66 · LRV 36
PNT100-LT-32 · #9C9CA7 · ΔE 9.23 · LRV 34
PNT100-MD-58 · #8EA992 · ΔE 11.58 · LRV 36

Portola Paints

69 colors in deck · best ΔE 6.64
All gray at Portola Paints →
TWIN PEAKS · #929EA5 · ΔE 6.64 · LRV 33
BRONSON · #999985 · ΔE 6.86 · LRV 31
LA CATEDRAL · #A79D8D · ΔE 7.68 · LRV 34
JULES · #85929A · ΔE 8.49 · LRV 28
BOONDOCKS · #B09E85 · ΔE 11.78 · LRV 35

Annie Sloan

31 colors in deck · best ΔE 7.77
All gray at Annie Sloan →
DUCK EGG BLUE · #99AB9D · ΔE 7.77 · LRV 38
FRENCH LINEN · #A79D84 · ΔE 9.61 · LRV 34
PALOMA · #BFB5B3 · ΔE 10.82 · LRV 47
CHATEAU GREY · #A49C77 · ΔE 12.36 · LRV 33
PROVENCE · #79A29A · ΔE 12.63 · LRV 32

Backdrop

30 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.26
All gray at Backdrop →
BD-NU · #A4A89F · ΔE 3.26 · LRV 38
BD-LF · #A4AB95 · ΔE 8.03 · LRV 35
BD-CT · #A89E8A · ΔE 8.45 · LRV 33
BD-UD · #A4B5BB · ΔE 9.1 · LRV 41
BD-AN · #A89886 · ΔE 10.3 · LRV 33

Rust-Oleum

16 colors in deck · best ΔE 4.71
All gray at Rust-Oleum →
285141 · #8E948A · ΔE 4.71 · LRV 29
391446 · #958E86 · ΔE 7.47 · LRV 27
371674 · #A5A78F · ΔE 8.13 · LRV 38
371675 · #8CA8A9 · ΔE 9.09 · LRV 36
285143 · #B6B9BE · ΔE 9.61 · LRV 48

Kompozit

1,321 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.2
All gray at Kompozit →
0449 · #99A098 · ΔE 2.2 · LRV 34
0541 · #9D9E9D · ΔE 2.92 · LRV 34
0533 · #9FA1A1 · ΔE 3.24 · LRV 35
0526 · #99A1A5 · ΔE 4.93 · LRV 35
0548 · #9D9A9A · ΔE 5.35 · LRV 33

Similar Glidden colors

closest in the Glidden deck

The nearest shades to Steel Curtain within Glidden's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.

PPG0995-5 · LRV 35
PPG0998-4 · LRV 34
50GY 32/046 · LRV 32
30YY 33/047 · LRV 33
50BG 33/025 · LRV 33
Ufo
PPG1011-4 · LRV 34

Coordinated palette

Generated by hue-rotating #9B9F9A in HSL space. Pair Steel Curtain with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.

COMPLEMENTARY
#9B9F9A + #9E9A9F
TRIADIC
#9B9F9A · #9A9B9F · #9F9A9B
ANALOGOUS
#9E9F9A · #9B9F9A · #9A9F9C

Accessibility (WCAG contrast)

Sample text on white
2.69:1 fail
Sample text on black
7.82:1 AAA

WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.

Glidden Steel Curtain Equivalents at Other Brands

Matching Steel Curtain 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 PPG0994-5 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.

Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Steel Curtain

At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Steel Curtain is Bedrock (SW 9563) — very close at ΔE 2.77, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Bedrock swatch →

Behr Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Behr's nearest match is Brampton Gray (PPU11-16), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.39). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steel Curtain without repainting risk. See the full Brampton Gray swatch →

Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Benjamin Moore's nearest match is Puritan Gray (HC-164), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.87). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steel Curtain without repainting risk. See the full Puritan Gray swatch →

Valspar Equivalent of Steel Curtain

At Valspar, the closest color to Steel Curtain is Hazy Stratus (4004-1C) — very close at ΔE 2.66, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35.2 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Hazy Stratus swatch →

PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Steel Curtain

The closest PPG / Glidden equivalent of Steel Curtain is Steel Curtain (PPG0994-5). At ΔE 0.5 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 34). If PPG / Glidden is your counter, order Steel Curtain and you'll get the same color. See the full Steel Curtain swatch →

Dutch Boy Equivalent of Steel Curtain

At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Steel Curtain is Antiquated Pewter (425-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.97, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Antiquated Pewter swatch →

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Steel Curtain

At HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Steel Curtain is Thorntree (HGSW 3284) — very close at ΔE 2.99, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 32 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Thorntree swatch →

Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Concrete Jungle (DEGR68), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.2). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 33 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steel Curtain without repainting risk. See the full Concrete Jungle swatch →

Magnolia Home Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Magnolia Home has no exact twin of Steel Curtain. The nearest is Watering Can (JG-135) at ΔE 4.7 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 34). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Watering Can swatch →

Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Farrow & Ball's nearest match is Manor House Gray (NO. 265), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.67). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steel Curtain without repainting risk. See the full Manor House Gray swatch →

Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Diamond Vogel doesn't make a true equivalent of Steel Curtain — the nearest deck color, Jet Gray (0548), is clearly different (ΔE 5.26). For an exact match, any Diamond Vogel retailer can custom-tint Glidden PPG0994-5 instead. See the full Jet Gray swatch →

Hirshfield's Equivalent of Steel Curtain

At Hirshfield's, the closest color to Steel Curtain is Cannon Ball (0449) — very close at ΔE 2.2, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Cannon Ball swatch →

Rodda Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Rodda's nearest match is On the Rocks (R069), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.28). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 35 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steel Curtain without repainting risk. See the full On the Rocks swatch →

C2 Paint Equivalent of Steel Curtain

C2 Paint has no exact twin of Steel Curtain. The nearest is Artesian (C2-972) at ΔE 4.13 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 33 vs 34). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Artesian swatch →

Clare Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Clare doesn't make a true equivalent of Steel Curtain — the nearest deck color, Set In Stone (PNT100-LT-15), is clearly different (ΔE 5.53). For an exact match, any Clare retailer can custom-tint Glidden PPG0994-5 instead. See the full Set In Stone swatch →

Portola Paints Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Portola Paints doesn't make a true equivalent of Steel Curtain — the nearest deck color, Twin Peaks (TWIN PEAKS), is clearly different (ΔE 6.64). For an exact match, any Portola Paints retailer can custom-tint Glidden PPG0994-5 instead. See the full Twin Peaks swatch →

Annie Sloan Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Annie Sloan doesn't make a true equivalent of Steel Curtain — the nearest deck color, French Linen (FRENCH LINEN), is clearly different (ΔE 9.61). For an exact match, any Annie Sloan retailer can custom-tint Glidden PPG0994-5 instead. See the full French Linen swatch →

Backdrop Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Steel Curtain — the nearest deck color, Carry the Two (BD-CT), is clearly different (ΔE 8.45). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint Glidden PPG0994-5 instead. See the full Carry the Two swatch →

Rust-Oleum Equivalent of Steel Curtain

Rust-Oleum doesn't make a true equivalent of Steel Curtain — the nearest deck color, Blue Harbor (371675), is clearly different (ΔE 9.09). For an exact match, any Rust-Oleum retailer can custom-tint Glidden PPG0994-5 instead. See the full Blue Harbor swatch →

Kompozit Equivalent of Steel Curtain

At Kompozit, the closest color to Steel Curtain is Cannon Ball (0449) — very close at ΔE 2.2, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 34 vs 34) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Cannon Ball swatch →

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