Finding a PPG Equivalent for Off Broadway

If you love Behr Off Broadway but need a PPG 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 PPG, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

Off Broadway (PPU18-17) is a dark gray with warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray with brown undertones. Named for the intimate theaters, it carries a dramatic but accessible quality. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 13) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Off Broadway and every PPG 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 good news: there is a strong PPG match for Off Broadway. Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Thunderstorm is the closest PPG option. Very close match.

PPG Matches for Off Broadway

Thunderstorm PPG1010-6
Excellent match · ΔE 2.2

Thunderstorm is the closest PPG option. Very close match.

Off BroadwayThunderstorm
LRV1312
Hex#76736F#716F6B
UndertoneWarm Dark GrayWarm Dark Charcoal
FamilyGrayGray

Undertone Comparison

Off Broadway has warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray with brown undertones. Named for the intimate theaters, it carries a dramatic but accessible quality.

Thunderstorm has warm dark charcoal undertones. A dark, warm charcoal with brown undertones. Dramatic without being black. PPG's bold accent color for front doors, accent walls, and exterior features. The warm brown keeps it from feeling stark or lifeless.

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

Off Broadway in Your Room

Warm and dramatic. In bright rooms, a warm dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches charcoal.

Thunderstorm in Your Room

In bright light, the warm brown undertone shows through. In dim rooms, it reads as a rich, near-black charcoal. The warmth gives it life that a true black cannot provide.

LRV and Brightness

Off Broadway has an LRV of 13, while Thunderstorm has an LRV of 12. 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 Off Broadway

Behr recommends Off Broadway for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, front door, office. With an LRV of 13, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.

Thunderstorm is recommended for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, cabinets. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.

Off Broadway in Other Brands

Looking for Off Broadway equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest PPG match for Off Broadway (PPU18-17) is Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Thunderstorm is the closest PPG option. Very close match. 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. Off Broadway is a Behr color with warm dark gray undertones and an LRV of 13. Thunderstorm is a PPG color with warm dark charcoal undertones and an LRV of 12. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.

There are several practical reasons to look for a PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.