Dolphin Fin → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Behr Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Dolphin Fin
If you love Behr Dolphin Fin but need a Sherwin Williams alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06) is a medium gray with warm greige undertones. A warm medium gray with subtle beige undertones. Behr's answer to the greige trend. Balanced and versatile. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 46) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dolphin Fin and every Sherwin Williams color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Sherwin Williams option is Mindful Gray (SW 7016) with a Delta E of 3.2, which is a "good match" level match. Mindful Gray is a close match. Both are warm medium grays with similar depth and character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Dolphin Fin
Mindful Gray is a close match. Both are warm medium grays with similar depth and character.
| Dolphin Fin | Mindful Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 46 | 48 |
| Hex | #BAB5AE | #BFBAB2 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Greige |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Dolphin Fin has warm greige undertones. A warm medium gray with subtle beige undertones. Behr's answer to the greige trend. Balanced and versatile.
Mindful Gray has warm greige undertones. A medium gray with warm beige undertones. Darker and more substantial than Agreeable Gray, but with a similar warm-neutral quality.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Dolphin Fin in Your Room
Reads as a warm, balanced gray in most rooms. Neither too warm nor too cool. A safe, crowd-pleasing choice for any room.
Mindful Gray in Your Room
Reads as a true medium gray in most rooms. The warmth prevents it from feeling cold. In bright light, the beige undertone is more visible.
LRV and Brightness
Dolphin Fin has an LRV of 46, while Mindful Gray has an LRV of 48. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Dolphin Fin
Behr recommends Dolphin Fin for: living room, bedroom, hallway, office, whole house. With an LRV of 46, this is a medium color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Mindful Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, office, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Mindful Gray in the same rooms you planned for Dolphin Fin.
Dolphin Fin in Other Brands
Looking for Dolphin Fin equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06) is Mindful Gray (SW 7016) with a Delta E of 3.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Mindful Gray is a close match. Both are warm medium grays with similar depth and character. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Dolphin Fin is a Behr color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 46. Mindful Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 48. With a Delta E of 3.2, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 3.2, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.