Swiss Coffee → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Behr Swiss Coffee (PPU5-12), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Swiss Coffee
If you love Behr Swiss Coffee 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.
Swiss Coffee (PPU5-12) is a very light off-white with warm yellow-cream undertones. Behr's version of the classic warm off-white. Remarkably similar to the Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. A cozy, creamy neutral. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 84) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Swiss Coffee 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 Gypsum (PPG1025-1) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Gypsum captures similar warm off-white quality. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Swiss Coffee
Gypsum captures similar warm off-white quality.
| Swiss Coffee | Gypsum | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 84 | 78 |
| Hex | #F0EADC | #E8E2D6 |
| Undertone | Warm Yellow-Cream | Warm Cream |
| Family | Off-White | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Swiss Coffee has warm yellow-cream undertones. Behr's version of the classic warm off-white. Remarkably similar to the Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. A cozy, creamy neutral.
Gypsum has warm cream undertones. A warm, creamy off-white with organic undertones. PPG's answer to the warm white trend. Named for the natural mineral, it captures that earthy, unprocessed quality that makes warm whites feel more natural than clinical.
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. Swiss Coffee's warm yellow-cream quality may read differently than Gypsum's warm cream 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
Swiss Coffee in Your Room
Warm and inviting across all lighting conditions. Under cool north light, it settles into a pleasant warm neutral. Under warm light, the cream becomes more apparent.
Gypsum in Your Room
Warm and inviting in all rooms. The cream undertone is gentle and never overwhelming. In bright rooms, it reads as a warm white. In dim rooms, the cream provides cozy warmth.
LRV and Brightness
Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 84, while Gypsum has an LRV of 78. That means Swiss Coffee reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Swiss Coffee will make the space feel brighter and more open than Gypsum. If you are switching to the PPG option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Swiss Coffee
Behr recommends Swiss Coffee for: whole house, living room, bedroom, trim, cabinets. With an LRV of 84, this is a very light color that reflects a lot of light and works well in any room, including smaller spaces where you want to maintain a bright, open feel. It is light enough for whole-house use without making rooms feel washed out or sterile.
Gypsum is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, trim, hallway. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Gypsum in the same rooms you planned for Swiss Coffee.
Swiss Coffee in Other Brands
Looking for Swiss Coffee equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Swiss Coffee (PPU5-12) is Gypsum (PPG1025-1) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Gypsum captures similar warm off-white quality. 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. Swiss Coffee is a Behr color with warm yellow-cream undertones and an LRV of 84. Gypsum is a PPG color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 78. 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 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.