Color spec
| Brand | PPG / Glidden |
| Name | Hippopotamus |
| SKU | PPG0994-4 |
| Hex | #A8AAA5 |
| RGB | 168, 170, 165 |
| HSL | 84°, 3%, 66% |
| LRV | 40 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| 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 at every US brand
13 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.
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Benjamin Moore
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
C2 Paint
Valspar
Dutch Boy
Diamond Vogel
Farrow & Ball
Backdrop
Kompozit
Clare
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.
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Hippopotamus. The nearest is Hardwick White (NO. 5) at ΔE 4.66 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 40). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Hardwick White swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Hippopotamus
Clare doesn't make a true equivalent of Hippopotamus — the nearest deck color, Mellow Mood (PNT100-DP-78), is clearly different (ΔE 6.59). For an exact match, any Clare retailer can custom-tint PPG / Glidden PPG0994-4 instead. See the full Mellow Mood swatch →