Color spec
| Brand | Sherwin-Williams |
| Name | Proper Gray |
| SKU | SW 6003 |
| Hex | #ADA8A5 |
| RGB | 173, 168, 165 |
| HSL | 22°, 5%, 66% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | neutral with no strong undertone |
| Family | Gray |
About 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 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.
Behr
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Portola Paints
Annie Sloan
Kompozit
Similar Sherwin-Williams colors
closest in the Sherwin-Williams deckThe nearest shades to Proper Gray within 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.
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 Sherwin-Williams SW 6003 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Glidden Equivalent of Proper Gray
Glidden's nearest match is Song Sparrow (30YY 39/041), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.64). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Proper Gray without repainting risk. See the full Song Sparrow 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 →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Proper Gray
The closest HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Proper Gray is Intuitive Gray (HGSW 2445). 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 HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Intuitive Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Intuitive Gray 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 →
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 →
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 →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Proper Gray
Hirshfield's 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 →
Rodda Equivalent of Proper Gray
At Rodda, the closest color to Proper Gray is Winter Wood (R027) — very close at ΔE 3.04, 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 Winter Wood 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 →