Soft Focus → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Behr Soft Focus (PPU12-11), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Soft Focus
If you love Behr Soft Focus 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.
Soft Focus (PPU12-11) is a light gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A light, clean gray with minimal undertone. One of Behr's most truly neutral grays. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 62) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Soft Focus 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 Passive (SW 7064) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Passive is close. Both are clean, neutral light grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Soft Focus
Passive is close. Both are clean, neutral light grays.
| Soft Focus | Passive | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 62 | 60 |
| Hex | #D2D2CE | #CBCBC8 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Soft Focus has cool neutral gray undertones. A light, clean gray with minimal undertone. One of Behr's most truly neutral grays.
Passive has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning gray with minimal undertone. One of SW's most truly neutral grays. Less warm than Repose, less cool than some blue-grays.
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
Soft Focus in Your Room
Stays neutral in most lighting conditions. A safe, clean gray that won't surprise you with unexpected undertones.
Passive in Your Room
Reads as a clean, balanced gray in most rooms. In warm light, it stays neutral without pulling warm. In cool light, it can feel slightly cool. Very versatile.
LRV and Brightness
Soft Focus has an LRV of 62, while Passive has an LRV of 60. 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 Soft Focus
Behr recommends Soft Focus for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, office. With an LRV of 62, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Passive is recommended for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Passive in the same rooms you planned for Soft Focus.
Soft Focus in Other Brands
Looking for Soft Focus equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Soft Focus (PPU12-11) is Passive (SW 7064) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Passive is close. Both are clean, neutral light grays. 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. Soft Focus is a Behr color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 62. Passive is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 60. With a Delta E of 3.4, 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 3.4, 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.