CP
HGTV HOME BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS · HGSW 3396

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Refracted#B5B1B5 · LRV 45

Refracted reads as a true neutral (no measurable hue) — mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light. The notes below cover the spec, what HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 3396 actually looks like under different light, and the closest matches at competing US brands.

HGTV HOME BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS REFRACTED
RGB 181, 177, 181 LRV 45

Color spec

Brand HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Name Refracted
SKU HGSW 3396
Hex #B5B1B5
RGB 181, 177, 181
HSL 300°, 3%, 70%
LRV 45
Undertone true neutral (no measurable hue)
Family Gray

About HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Refracted

Refracted sits in the mid-range at LRV 45, 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.

Refracted 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 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.

SW 6261 · #B5B1B5 · ΔE 0 · LRV 45
SW 7072 · #B0B5B5 · ΔE 5.69 · LRV 45
SW 6248 · #ADB5B9 · ΔE 6.24 · LRV 45
SW 9637 · #B0B7B7 · ΔE 6.65 · LRV 46
SW 7058 · #B2B5AF · ΔE 7.48 · LRV 46

Valspar

2,858 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.87
All gray at Valspar →
8004-1C · #B8B3B6 · ΔE 0.87 · LRV 46
V125-3 · #B8B3B6 · ΔE 0.87 · LRV 45.7
8004-46C · #B1B3B9 · ΔE 3.02 · LRV 45
V136-3 · #B1B3B9 · ΔE 3.02 · LRV 45.2
4001-1B · #B8B0AE · ΔE 3.35 · LRV 44.1

PPG / Glidden

2,132 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.87
All gray at PPG / Glidden →
PPG1003-3 · #B8B3B6 · ΔE 0.87 · LRV 46
PPG1002-4 · #B9B3B0 · ΔE 3.73 · LRV 46
PPG1013-4 · #ADB0B3 · ΔE 3.92 · LRV 43
PPG1043-4 · #B0B3BE · ΔE 4.3 · LRV 45
PPG1011-3 · #AFB3B6 · ΔE 4.39 · LRV 45

Dutch Boy

1,340 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.96
All gray at Dutch Boy →
444-2DB · #B8B4B7 · ΔE 0.96 · LRV 46
343-3DB · #B7B3BD · ΔE 2.97 · LRV 46
341-3DB · #B2B4BB · ΔE 3.13 · LRV 46
435-3DB · #ADB2B5 · ΔE 4.93 · LRV 44
442-3DB · #B9B2A9 · ΔE 6.8 · LRV 45

Behr

5,644 colors in deck · best ΔE 1
All gray at Behr →
730B-4 · #B9B4B8 · ΔE 1 · LRV 46
780F-4 · #B1B1B2 · ΔE 2.89 · LRV 44
PPU17-11 · #BAAFAD · ΔE 4.01 · LRV 44
PPU26-08 · #B1B3B3 · ΔE 4.25 · LRV 45
N140-3 · #B0B2B2 · ΔE 4.25 · LRV 44

Dunn-Edwards

2,298 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.09
All gray at Dunn-Edwards →
DEGR78 · #B7B4B7 · ΔE 1.09 · LRV 47
DE6381 · #B6B5B8 · ΔE 1.92 · LRV 44
DE6395 · #BBB0B1 · ΔE 3.28 · LRV 42
DEGR57 · #AFAFAC · ΔE 5.01 · LRV 43
DEGR52 · #B4B4AF · ΔE 5.98 · LRV 46

Diamond Vogel

1,386 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.41
All gray at Diamond Vogel →
0547 · #B2AFAF · ΔE 2.41 · LRV 43
1317 · #B3B2BC · ΔE 3.02 · LRV 45
0540 · #B7B4B2 · ΔE 3.51 · LRV 46
0553 · #B6B0AD · ΔE 3.71 · LRV 44
0511 · #AEB3B8 · ΔE 4.6 · LRV 45

Magnolia Home

160 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.54
All gray at Magnolia Home →
JG-99 · #B0AAAB · ΔE 2.54 · LRV 41
JG-14 · #B0AEA7 · ΔE 6.59 · LRV 42
JG-162 · #AAB0AD · ΔE 7.15 · LRV 43
JG-19 · #BDB7AC · ΔE 7.98 · LRV 48
JG-01 · #A8B6B4 · ΔE 10 · LRV 45

Kompozit

1,321 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.9
All gray at Kompozit →
0547 · #AFADAD · ΔE 2.9 · LRV 42
1317 · #AEAFB9 · ΔE 3.51 · LRV 43
0540 · #B2B1AE · ΔE 4.59 · LRV 44
1302 · #BBB0BB · ΔE 4.81 · LRV 45
1310 · #BDB0BC · ΔE 5.69 · LRV 46

C2 Paint

580 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.08
All gray at C2 Paint →
C2-782 · #B8B5BF · ΔE 3.08 · LRV 47
C2-958 · #B4B1AC · ΔE 5.18 · LRV 44
C2-990 · #B7B9B6 · ΔE 5.91 · LRV 48
C2-973 · #B1B1A8 · ΔE 8 · LRV 44
C2-974 · #AAB6B6 · ΔE 8.77 · LRV 45

Benjamin Moore

3,934 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.14
All gray at Benjamin Moore →
1460 · #B3B1B0 · ΔE 3.14 · LRV 44
AF-670 · #B6B4B2 · ΔE 3.75 · LRV 46
1613 · #B0B4B7 · ΔE 4.4 · LRV 45
1467 · #B4B2AE · ΔE 4.84 · LRV 45
1599 · #ADB3B3 · ΔE 6.14 · LRV 44

Farrow & Ball

209 colors in deck · best ΔE 5.3
All gray at Farrow & Ball →
NO. 267 · #B7AFA9 · ΔE 5.3 · LRV 44
NO. 88 · #B1B1AA · ΔE 7.01 · LRV 44
NO. 5 · #B2ADA0 · ΔE 9.07 · LRV 42
NO. 22 · #B5BBB4 · ΔE 9.14 · LRV 49
NO. 91 · #AEB2A4 · ΔE 11.28 · LRV 44

Clare

78 colors in deck · best ΔE 5.75
All gray at Clare →
PNT100-LT-13 · #C2B8B2 · ΔE 5.75 · LRV 49
PNT100-MD-73 · #ADBECB · ΔE 9.9 · LRV 50
PNT100-MD-48 · #B5B9A6 · ΔE 13.22 · LRV 47
PNT100-MD-43 · #9AB0AB · ΔE 13.64 · LRV 41
PNT100-LT-44 · #90B5B3 · ΔE 17.52 · LRV 42

Backdrop

30 colors in deck · best ΔE 9.79
All gray at Backdrop →
BD-NU · #A4A89F · ΔE 9.79 · LRV 38
BD-UD · #A4B5BB · ΔE 9.89 · LRV 41
BD-LO · #A4C2D2 · ΔE 14.13 · LRV 51
BD-LF · #A4AB95 · ΔE 15.29 · LRV 35
BD-RO · #D2A299 · ΔE 15.32 · LRV 38

Similar HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams colors

closest in the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams deck

The nearest shades to Refracted 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.

HGSW 6261 · LRV 45
HGSW 1466 · LRV 45
HGSW 3365 · LRV 45
HGSW 6248 · LRV 45
HGSW 1506 · LRV 46
HGSW 3406 · LRV 47

Coordinated palette

Generated by hue-rotating #B5B1B5 in HSL space. Pair Refracted with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.

COMPLEMENTARY
#B5B1B5 + #B1B5B1
TRIADIC
#B5B1B5 · #B5B5B1 · #B1B5B5
ANALOGOUS
#B3B1B5 · #B5B1B5 · #B5B1B3

Accessibility (WCAG contrast)

Sample text on white
2.12:1 fail
Sample text on black
9.92:1 AAA

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 Refracted Equivalents at Other Brands

Matching Refracted 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 3396 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.

Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Refracted

The closest Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Refracted is Swanky Gray (SW 6261). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 45 vs 45). If Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Swanky Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Swanky Gray swatch →

Valspar Equivalent of Refracted

The closest Valspar equivalent of Refracted is Frisky Whiskers (8004-1C). At ΔE 0.87 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 45). If Valspar is your counter, order Frisky Whiskers and you'll get the same color. See the full Frisky Whiskers swatch →

PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Refracted

The closest PPG / Glidden equivalent of Refracted is Silver Bells (PPG1003-3). At ΔE 0.87 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 45). If PPG / Glidden is your counter, order Silver Bells and you'll get the same color. See the full Silver Bells swatch →

Dutch Boy Equivalent of Refracted

The closest Dutch Boy equivalent of Refracted is Gracious Gray (444-2DB). 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 46 vs 45). If Dutch Boy is your counter, order Gracious Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Gracious Gray swatch →

Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Refracted

Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Heliotrope Gray (DEGR78), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.09). It runs slightly lighter (LRV 47 vs 45) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Refracted without repainting risk. See the full Heliotrope Gray swatch →

Behr Equivalent of Refracted

At Behr, the closest color to Refracted is Sparrow (780F-4) — very close at ΔE 2.89, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 44 vs 45) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Sparrow swatch →

Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Refracted

At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Refracted is Buffed Plum (1317) — very close at ΔE 3.02, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 45 vs 45) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Buffed Plum swatch →

Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Refracted

At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Refracted is Silver Dollar (1460) — very close at ΔE 3.14, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 44 vs 45) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Silver Dollar swatch →

Kompozit Equivalent of Refracted

Kompozit has no exact twin of Refracted. The nearest is Praise Giving (0540) at ΔE 4.59 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 44 vs 45). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Praise Giving swatch →

C2 Paint Equivalent of Refracted

C2 Paint doesn't make a true equivalent of Refracted — the nearest deck color, Tailored (C2-958), is clearly different (ΔE 5.18). For an exact match, any C2 Paint retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 3396 instead. See the full Tailored swatch →

Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Refracted

Farrow & Ball doesn't make a true equivalent of Refracted — the nearest deck color, Dove Tale (NO. 267), is clearly different (ΔE 5.3). For an exact match, any Farrow & Ball retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 3396 instead. See the full Dove Tale swatch →

Clare Equivalent of Refracted

Clare doesn't make a true equivalent of Refracted — the nearest deck color, Greige (PNT100-LT-13), is clearly different (ΔE 5.75). For an exact match, any Clare retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 3396 instead. See the full Greige swatch →

Magnolia Home Equivalent of Refracted

Magnolia Home doesn't make a true equivalent of Refracted — the nearest deck color, Tranquil Waters (JG-162), is clearly different (ΔE 7.15). For an exact match, any Magnolia Home retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 3396 instead. See the full Tranquil Waters swatch →

Backdrop Equivalent of Refracted

Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Refracted — the nearest deck color, Underdog (BD-UD), is clearly different (ΔE 9.89). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams HGSW 3396 instead. See the full Underdog swatch →

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