Smoky Slate → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Behr Smoky Slate (PPU25-18), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Smoky Slate
If you love Behr Smoky Slate 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.
Smoky Slate (PPU25-18) is a dark gray with cool dark charcoal undertones. A cool, dark charcoal with minimal undertone. Behr's cleanest dark gray. Serious and commanding without the warmth of Porpoise or the brown of Mineral. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 8) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Smoky Slate 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest PPG option is Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6) with a Delta E of 2.6, which is a "good match" level match. Thunderstorm is the closest PPG option. Very close match. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Smoky Slate
Thunderstorm is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
| Smoky Slate | Thunderstorm | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 8 | 12 |
| Hex | #5A5956 | #716F6B |
| Undertone | Cool Dark Charcoal | Warm Dark Charcoal |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Smoky Slate has cool dark charcoal undertones. A cool, dark charcoal with minimal undertone. Behr's cleanest dark gray. Serious and commanding without the warmth of Porpoise or the brown of Mineral.
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.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Smoky Slate's cool dark charcoal quality may read differently than Thunderstorm's warm dark charcoal character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Smoky Slate in Your Room
In bright light, reads as a clean, cool dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches a sophisticated near-black. The cool lean keeps it sharp and modern.
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
Smoky Slate has an LRV of 8, 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 Smoky Slate
Behr recommends Smoky Slate for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, cabinets. With an LRV of 8, 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. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Thunderstorm in the same rooms you planned for Smoky Slate.
Smoky Slate in Other Brands
Looking for Smoky Slate equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Smoky Slate (PPU25-18) is Thunderstorm (PPG1010-6) with a Delta E of 2.6, which rates as a "good 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. Smoky Slate is a Behr color with cool dark charcoal undertones and an LRV of 8. Thunderstorm is a PPG color with warm dark charcoal undertones and an LRV of 12. With a Delta E of 2.6, 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 2.6, 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.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.