CP

Sherwin-Williams Unusual GraySW 7059 · #A3A7A0 · LRV 38

Unusual Gray reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light. The notes below cover the color's details, what Sherwin-Williams SW 7059 actually looks like under different light, and the closest matches at competing US brands.

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS UNUSUAL GRAY
RGB 163, 167, 160LRV 38

Color spec

BrandSherwin-Williams
NameUnusual Gray
SKUSW 7059
Hex#A3A7A0
RGB163, 167, 160
HSL94°, 4%, 64%
LRV38
Undertoneneutral with no strong undertone
FamilyGray
See Sherwin-Williams Unusual Gray on your own walls — upload a room photo.SEE IT IN YOUR ROOM →

About Sherwin-Williams Unusual Gray

Unusual Gray sits in the mid-range at LRV 38, 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.

Unusual 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

16 brands within ΔE 5

The 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

5,644 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.95
All gray at Behr →
PPU24-18 · #A5A6A1 · ΔE 1.95 · LRV 38
PPU25-04 · #A4A6A3 · ΔE 2.44 · LRV 38
PPU25-05 · #A8A89D · ΔE 2.49 · LRV 39
PPU25-16 · #A4A6A4 · ΔE 2.95 · LRV 38

Benjamin Moore

4,068 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.99
All gray at Benjamin Moore →
1482 · #A4A79E · ΔE 0.99 · LRV 38
HC-179 · #A8A9A3 · ΔE 1.84 · LRV 40
1579 · #9DA8A1 · ΔE 3.12 · LRV 38
CC-690 · #9DA8A1 · ΔE 3.12 · LRV 38

Valspar

2,858 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.09
All gray at Valspar →
V145-3 · #A8A89F · ΔE 2.09 · LRV 38.7
V121-2 · #A7A7A2 · ΔE 2.44 · LRV 38.4
V118-2 · #A9A8A2 · ΔE 2.75 · LRV 38.9
T685 · #A0AAA6 · ΔE 2.93 · LRV 39

PPG / Glidden

2,132 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.86
All gray at PPG / Glidden →
PPG0994-4 · #A8AAA5 · ΔE 1.86 · LRV 40
PPG1010-4 · #A5A8A5 · ΔE 2.24 · LRV 39
PPG1007-4 · #AAA89F · ΔE 3.05 · LRV 39
PPG0996-3 · #A8A8A5 · ΔE 3.24 · LRV 39

Glidden

3,101 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.06
All gray at Glidden →
50GY 38/042 · #A3A8A3 · ΔE 1.06 · LRV 38
PPG0994-4 · #A7AAA5 · ΔE 1.55 · LRV 40
PPG1010-4 · #A4A7A4 · ΔE 2.19 · LRV 38
PPG0996-3 · #A7A7A4 · ΔE 3.19 · LRV 39

Dutch Boy

1,340 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.82
All gray at Dutch Boy →
437-3DB · #A4A4A0 · ΔE 2.82 · LRV 37
436-4DB · #A4A7A6 · ΔE 3.28 · LRV 38
426-5DB · #9FAAA6 · ΔE 3.28 · LRV 39
HGSW 1505 · #A3A7A0 · ΔE 0 · LRV 38
HGSW 7059 · #A3A7A0 · ΔE 0 · LRV 38
HGSW 1485 · #A7A8A2 · ΔE 1.73 · LRV 38
HGSW 7066 · #A7A8A2 · ΔE 1.73 · LRV 38

Dunn-Edwards

2,298 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.57
All gray at Dunn-Edwards →
DEGR64 · #A8AAA4 · ΔE 1.57 · LRV 40
DE6291 · #9DA7A0 · ΔE 2.73 · LRV 35
DEGR46 · #ABA8A1 · ΔE 3.68 · LRV 39

Magnolia Home

160 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.49
All gray at Magnolia Home →
JG-137 · #A3A7A1 · ΔE 0.49 · LRV 38
JG-15 · #A7A9A3 · ΔE 1.39 · LRV 39
JG-118 · #ACA9A3 · ΔE 3.91 · LRV 40

Farrow & Ball

302 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.08
All gray at Farrow & Ball →
NO. 265 · #9EA09D · ΔE 3.08 · LRV 35
NO. G3 · #ADAB9D · ΔE 4.13 · LRV 40

Diamond Vogel

1,386 colors in deck · best ΔE 2
All gray at Diamond Vogel →
0449 · #9DA39A · ΔE 2 · LRV 36
0574 · #A8A79E · ΔE 2.51 · LRV 38
0533 · #A3A4A4 · ΔE 4.35 · LRV 37

Hirshfield's

1,469 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.89
All gray at Hirshfield's →
0421 · #A7A89B · ΔE 2.89 · LRV 40
0574 · #A5A39A · ΔE 3.11 · LRV 38

Rodda

357 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.28
All gray at Rodda →
R068 · #9FA398 · ΔE 2.28 · LRV 36
R057 · #A6A899 · ΔE 3.56 · LRV 39

C2 Paint

580 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.65
All gray at C2 Paint →
C2-988 · #A8A9A1 · ΔE 1.65 · LRV 39
C2-957 · #A7A799 · ΔE 3.42 · LRV 38
C2-797 · #AAA599 · ΔE 4.66 · LRV 38

Backdrop

30 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.98
All gray at Backdrop →
BD-NU · #A4A89F · ΔE 0.98 · LRV 38

Kompozit

1,321 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.89
All gray at Kompozit →
0421 · #A7A89B · ΔE 2.89 · LRV 39
0574 · #A5A39A · ΔE 3.11 · LRV 37

Similar Sherwin-Williams colors

closest in the Sherwin-Williams deck

The nearest shades to Unusual 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.

SW 7066 · LRV 39
SW 6199 · LRV 38
SW 9638 · LRV 38
SW 9558 · LRV 37
SW 7659 · LRV 39
SW 6213 · LRV 39

Coordinated palette

Generated by hue-rotating #A3A7A0 in HSL space. Pair Unusual Gray with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.

COMPLEMENTARY
#A3A7A0 + #A4A0A7
TRIADIC
#A3A7A0 · #A0A3A7 · #A7A0A3
ANALOGOUS
#A6A7A0 · #A3A7A0 · #A0A7A1

Accessibility (WCAG contrast)

Sample text on white
2.44:1fail
Sample text on black
8.59:1AAA

WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.

Sherwin-Williams Unusual Gray Equivalents at Other Brands

Matching Unusual 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 7059 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.

Behr Equivalent of Unusual Gray

Behr's nearest match is Great Graphite (PPU24-18), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.95). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Unusual Gray without repainting risk. See the full Great Graphite swatch →

Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Unusual Gray

The closest Benjamin Moore equivalent of Unusual Gray is Sabre Gray (1482). At ΔE 0.99 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). If Benjamin Moore is your counter, order Sabre Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Sabre Gray swatch →

Valspar Equivalent of Unusual Gray

At Valspar, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Classic Grayscale (V121-2) — very close at ΔE 2.44, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38.4 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Classic Grayscale swatch →

PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Unusual Gray

At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Stepping Stone (PPG1010-4) — very close at ΔE 2.24, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Stepping Stone swatch →

Glidden Equivalent of Unusual Gray

Glidden's nearest match is Woodlawn (50GY 38/042), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.06). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Unusual Gray without repainting risk. See the full Woodlawn swatch →

Dutch Boy Equivalent of Unusual Gray

At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Weatherworn Gray (437-3DB) — very close at ΔE 2.82, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 37 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Weatherworn Gray swatch →

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Unusual Gray

The closest HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Unusual Gray is Wormwood (HGSW 1505). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). If HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Wormwood and you'll get the same color. See the full Wormwood swatch →

Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Unusual Gray

At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Casting Shadow (DE6291) — very close at ΔE 2.73, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 35 vs 38) and carries a cool green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Casting Shadow swatch →

Magnolia Home Equivalent of Unusual Gray

The closest Magnolia Home equivalent of Unusual Gray is Vintage Weathervane (JG-137). At ΔE 0.49 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). If Magnolia Home is your counter, order Vintage Weathervane and you'll get the same color. See the full Vintage Weathervane swatch →

Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Unusual Gray

Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Unusual Gray. The nearest is Vitty Green (NO. G3) at ΔE 4.13 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 40 vs 38). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Vitty Green swatch →

Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Unusual Gray

At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Shark Fin (0574) — very close at ΔE 2.51, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38) 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 Unusual Gray

At Hirshfield's, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Silverado Ranch (0421) — very close at ΔE 2.89, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 40 vs 38) and carries a warm yellow undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Silverado Ranch swatch →

Rodda Equivalent of Unusual Gray

Rodda has no exact twin of Unusual Gray. The nearest is Buried Fossil (R057) at ΔE 3.56 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Buried Fossil swatch →

C2 Paint Equivalent of Unusual Gray

C2 Paint's nearest match is Pavement (C2-988), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.65). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Unusual Gray without repainting risk. See the full Pavement swatch →

Backdrop Equivalent of Unusual Gray

The closest Backdrop equivalent of Unusual Gray is Nuevo (BD-NU). At ΔE 0.98 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38). If Backdrop is your counter, order Nuevo and you'll get the same color. See the full Nuevo swatch →

Kompozit Equivalent of Unusual Gray

At Kompozit, the closest color to Unusual Gray is Silverado Ranch (0421) — very close at ΔE 2.89, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38) and carries a warm yellow undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Silverado Ranch swatch →

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