Color spec
| Brand | PPG / Glidden |
| Name | Playing Possum |
| SKU | PPG0997-5 |
| Hex | #969796 |
| RGB | 150, 151, 150 |
| HSL | 120°, 0%, 59% |
| LRV | 31 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| Family | Gray |
About PPG / Glidden Playing Possum
Playing Possum sits in the mid-range at LRV 31, 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.
Playing Possum 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.
Behr
Dunn-Edwards
Valspar
Sherwin-Williams
C2 Paint
Benjamin Moore
Magnolia Home
Dutch Boy
Kompozit
Clare
Diamond Vogel
Farrow & Ball
Backdrop
Similar PPG / Glidden colors
closest in the PPG / Glidden deckThe nearest shades to Playing Possum 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 #969796 in HSL space. Pair Playing Possum 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 Playing Possum Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Playing Possum 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 PPG0997-5 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Behr Equivalent of Playing Possum
The closest Behr equivalent of Playing Possum is Shark Fin (PPU24-19). At ΔE 0.57 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31). If Behr is your counter, order Shark Fin and you'll get the same color. See the full Shark Fin swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Playing Possum
Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Gray Soapstone (DEGR53), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.2). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 32 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Playing Possum without repainting risk. See the full Gray Soapstone swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Playing Possum
Valspar's nearest match is Stone Mason Gray (4008-1C), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.32). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 30.9 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Playing Possum without repainting risk. See the full Stone Mason Gray swatch →
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Playing Possum
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Playing Possum is African Gray (SW 9162) — very close at ΔE 2.09, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full African Gray swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Playing Possum
At C2 Paint, the closest color to Playing Possum is Tin Man (C2-970) — very close at ΔE 2.16, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 32 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Tin Man swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Playing Possum
At Magnolia Home, the closest color to Playing Possum is Times Past (JG-94) — very close at ΔE 2.46, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Times Past swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Playing Possum
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Playing Possum is Padlock Gray (438-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.71, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 31 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Padlock Gray swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Playing Possum
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Playing Possum is Soho Loft (CSP-10) — very close at ΔE 3.22, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 30 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Soho Loft swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Playing Possum
At Clare, the closest color to Playing Possum is Shade (PNT100-MD-14) — very close at ΔE 3.26, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 28 vs 31) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Shade swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Playing Possum
Kompozit has no exact twin of Playing Possum. The nearest is Sparrow (0554) at ΔE 3.51 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 30 vs 31). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Sparrow swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Playing Possum
Diamond Vogel has no exact twin of Playing Possum. The nearest is Sparrow (0554) at ΔE 3.62 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 32 vs 31). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Sparrow swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Playing Possum
Farrow & Ball doesn't make a true equivalent of Playing Possum — the nearest deck color, Oval Room Blue (NO. 85), is clearly different (ΔE 7.71). For an exact match, any Farrow & Ball retailer can custom-tint PPG / Glidden PPG0997-5 instead. See the full Oval Room Blue swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Playing Possum
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Playing Possum — the nearest deck color, Anita (BD-AN), is clearly different (ΔE 9.84). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint PPG / Glidden PPG0997-5 instead. See the full Anita swatch →