Ashley Gray → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Ashley Gray (HC-87), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Ashley Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Ashley Gray 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 Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Ashley Gray (HC-87) is a medium-dark gray with warm green-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm green-taupe undertones. Richer than Chelsea Gray, warmer than Coventry Gray. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 34.64) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Ashley Gray 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 Dorian Gray (SW 7017) with a Delta E of 4.1, which is a "good match" level match. Dorian Gray is similar in depth. Both are warm medium grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Ashley Gray
Dorian Gray is similar in depth. Both are warm medium grays.
| Ashley Gray | Dorian Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 34.64 | 39 |
| Hex | #ABA8A0 | #B5AFA7 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Gray-Beige |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Ashley Gray has warm green-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm green-taupe undertones. Richer than Chelsea Gray, warmer than Coventry Gray.
Dorian Gray has warm gray-beige undertones. A warm medium gray with beige undertones. Deeper than Mindful Gray. A sophisticated neutral with real presence.
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. Ashley Gray's warm green-gray quality may read differently than Dorian Gray's warm gray-beige 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
Ashley Gray in Your Room
In bright light, the green lean shows. In dim rooms, reads as a warm, substantial mid-tone gray.
Dorian Gray in Your Room
Warm and grounding. The beige keeps it from feeling cold. In bright light, the warmth is more apparent.
LRV and Brightness
Ashley Gray has an LRV of 34.64, while Dorian Gray has an LRV of 39. 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 Ashley Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Ashley Gray for: accent wall, exterior, office, living room, bedroom. With an LRV of 34.64, this is a medium-dark 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.
Dorian Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall. 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.
Ashley Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Ashley Gray equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Ashley Gray (HC-87) is Dorian Gray (SW 7017) with a Delta E of 4.1, which rates as a "good match" match. Dorian Gray is similar in depth. Both are warm medium 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. Ashley Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 34.64. Dorian Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm gray-beige undertones and an LRV of 39. With a Delta E of 4.1, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 4.1, 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.