Color spec
| Brand | HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams |
| Name | Proper Gray |
| SKU | HGSW 6003 |
| Hex | #ADA8A5 |
| RGB | 173, 168, 165 |
| HSL | 22°, 5%, 66% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| Family | Gray |
About HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Proper Gray
Proper Gray 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.
Proper 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
14 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
Kompozit
Benjamin Moore
Behr
C2 Paint
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Magnolia Home
Dunn-Edwards
Farrow & Ball
Dutch Boy
Diamond Vogel
Backdrop
Clare
Similar HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams colors
closest in the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams deckThe nearest shades to Proper Gray within HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams'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 #ADA8A5 in HSL space. Pair Proper 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.
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Proper Gray Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Proper 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 HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 6003 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Proper Gray
The closest Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Proper Gray is Proper Gray (SW 6003). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). If Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Proper Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Proper Gray swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Proper Gray
Behr's nearest match is Cathedral Grey (UL260-7), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.64). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Proper Gray without repainting risk. See the full Cathedral Grey swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Proper Gray
At Magnolia Home, the closest color to Proper Gray is Refinished (JG-118) — very close at ΔE 2.22, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Refinished swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Proper Gray
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Proper Gray is Statue Garden (PPG0996-3) — very close at ΔE 2.71, 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 Statue Garden swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Proper Gray
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Proper Gray is Distant Dusk (DEGR46) — very close at ΔE 2.71, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Distant Dusk swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Proper Gray
At Valspar, the closest color to Proper Gray is Stately Graystone (V118-2) — very close at ΔE 3.09, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38.9 vs 39) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Stately Graystone swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Proper Gray
C2 Paint has no exact twin of Proper Gray. The nearest is Monday Morning (C2-987) at ΔE 3.6 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Monday Morning swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Proper Gray
Kompozit has no exact twin of Proper Gray. The nearest is In the Hills (0561) at ΔE 3.93 — 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 In the Hills swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Proper Gray
Benjamin Moore has no exact twin of Proper Gray. The nearest is Platinum Gray (HC-179) at ΔE 4.01 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Platinum Gray swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Proper Gray
Dutch Boy has no exact twin of Proper Gray. The nearest is Future Gray (445-3DB) at ΔE 4.25 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Future Gray swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Proper Gray
Diamond Vogel has no exact twin of Proper Gray. The nearest is Shark Fin (0574) at ΔE 4.37 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Shark Fin swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Proper Gray
Farrow & Ball doesn't make a true equivalent of Proper Gray — the nearest deck color, Hardwick White (NO. 5), is clearly different (ΔE 5.19). For an exact match, any Farrow & Ball retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 6003 instead. See the full Hardwick White swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Proper Gray
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Proper Gray — the nearest deck color, Nuevo (BD-NU), is clearly different (ΔE 6.36). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 6003 instead. See the full Nuevo swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Proper Gray
Clare doesn't make a true equivalent of Proper Gray — the nearest deck color, Mellow Mood (PNT100-DP-78), is clearly different (ΔE 10.84). For an exact match, any Clare retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 6003 instead. See the full Mellow Mood swatch →