Color spec
| Brand | PPG / Glidden |
| Name | Hippopotamus |
| SKU | PPG0994-4 |
| Hex | #A8AAA5 |
| RGB | 168, 170, 165 |
| HSL | 84°, 3%, 66% |
| LRV | 40 |
| Undertone | neutral with no strong undertone |
| Family | Gray |
About PPG / Glidden Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus sits in the mid-range at LRV 40, 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.
Hippopotamus 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 by brand
17 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. 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
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Portola Paints
Backdrop
Kompozit
Similar PPG / Glidden colors
closest in the PPG / Glidden deckThe nearest shades to Hippopotamus within PPG / 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 #A8AAA5 in HSL space. Pair Hippopotamus 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.
PPG / Glidden Hippopotamus Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Hippopotamus 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 PPG / Glidden PPG0994-4 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Ellie Gray (SW 7650), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.57). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Hippopotamus without repainting risk. See the full Ellie Gray swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Behr's nearest match is Flipper (PPU25-15), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.53). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Hippopotamus without repainting risk. See the full Flipper swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Hippopotamus
The closest Benjamin Moore equivalent of Hippopotamus is Platinum Gray (HC-179). At ΔE 0.69 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40). If Benjamin Moore is your counter, order Platinum Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Platinum Gray swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Valspar's nearest match is Stately Graystone (V118-2), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.58). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38.9 vs 40) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Hippopotamus without repainting risk. See the full Stately Graystone swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Hippopotamus
The closest Glidden equivalent of Hippopotamus is Hippopotamus (PPG0994-4). 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 40 vs 40). If Glidden is your counter, order Hippopotamus and you'll get the same color. See the full Hippopotamus swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Hippopotamus
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Hippopotamus is Ironed Gray (436-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.26, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 38 vs 40) 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 Hippopotamus
The closest HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Hippopotamus is Essex Grey (HGSW 1485). At ΔE 0.84 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and runs slightly darker (LRV 38 vs 40). If HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Essex Grey and you'll get the same color. See the full Essex Grey swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Hippopotamus
The closest Dunn-Edwards equivalent of Hippopotamus is Muted Gray (DEGR64). At ΔE 0.51 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40). If Dunn-Edwards is your counter, order Muted Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Muted Gray swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Hippopotamus
The closest Magnolia Home equivalent of Hippopotamus is Weathered Windmill (JG-15). At ΔE 0.6 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 40). If Magnolia Home is your counter, order Weathered Windmill and you'll get the same color. See the full Weathered Windmill swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Hippopotamus. The nearest is Vitty Green (NO. G3) at ΔE 4.25 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Vitty Green swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Hippopotamus
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Hippopotamus is Shark Fin (0574) — very close at ΔE 2.35, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 38 vs 40) and carries a warm yellow undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Shark Fin swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Hippopotamus. The nearest is Silverado Ranch (0421) at ΔE 3.76 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Silverado Ranch swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Rodda has no exact twin of Hippopotamus. The nearest is Winter Wood (R027) at ΔE 4.15 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 40). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Winter Wood swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Hippopotamus
C2 Paint's nearest match is Pavement (C2-988), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.5). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 40) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Hippopotamus without repainting risk. See the full Pavement swatch →
Portola Paints Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Portola Paints has no exact twin of Hippopotamus. The nearest is Aberdeen (ABERDEEN) at ΔE 3.61 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 40). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Aberdeen swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Hippopotamus
At Backdrop, the closest color to Hippopotamus is Nuevo (BD-NU) — very close at ΔE 2.47, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 38 vs 40) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Nuevo swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Kompozit has no exact twin of Hippopotamus. The nearest is Silverado Ranch (0421) 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 40). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Silverado Ranch swatch →