Copley Gray → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Copley Gray (HC-104), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Copley Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Copley 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.
Copley Gray (HC-104) is a medium-dark green with muted olive-gray undertones. A complex olive-gray from the Historical Collection. More olive than Sandy Hook Gray, more gray than a true green. One of BM's most sophisticated exterior colors, it reads as earthy and historic. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 30.85) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Copley 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 Svelte Sage (SW 6164) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Svelte Sage is greener. Copley Gray has more gray and olive. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Copley Gray
Svelte Sage is greener. Copley Gray has more gray and olive.
| Copley Gray | Svelte Sage | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 30.85 | 29 |
| Hex | #A7A89C | #A3A99D |
| Undertone | Muted Olive-Gray | Sage Green |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Copley Gray has muted olive-gray undertones. A complex olive-gray from the Historical Collection. More olive than Sandy Hook Gray, more gray than a true green. One of BM's most sophisticated exterior colors, it reads as earthy and historic.
Svelte Sage has sage green undertones. A muted sage with real presence. More saturated than Comfort Gray.
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
Copley Gray in Your Room
In bright light, the olive quality is visible and beautiful. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm, earthy medium gray. The olive lean gives it a distinctly New England character that works beautifully on clapboard and shingle-style homes.
Svelte Sage in Your Room
Distinctly sage in bright rooms. A warm gray-green in dim rooms.
LRV and Brightness
Copley Gray has an LRV of 30.85, while Svelte Sage has an LRV of 29. 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 Copley Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Copley Gray for: exterior, accent wall, kitchen, office, living room. With an LRV of 30.85, 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.
Svelte Sage is recommended for: kitchen, living room, bedroom, exterior, bathroom. 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.
Copley Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Copley 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 Copley Gray (HC-104) is Svelte Sage (SW 6164) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Svelte Sage is greener. Copley Gray has more gray and olive. 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. Copley Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with muted olive-gray undertones and an LRV of 30.85. Svelte Sage is a Sherwin Williams color with sage green undertones and an LRV of 29. With a Delta E of 4.4, 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 4.4, 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.