Coventry Gray → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray (HC-169), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Coventry Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Coventry 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.
Coventry Gray (HC-169) is a medium gray with cool neutral undertones. A balanced mid-tone gray with minimal undertone. One of BM's most neutral grays. Neither warm nor cool, just gray. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 46.84) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Coventry 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 Passive (SW 7064) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Passive is the closest SW match. Both are balanced, neutral mid-tone grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Coventry Gray
Passive is the closest SW match. Both are balanced, neutral mid-tone grays.
| Coventry Gray | Passive | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 46.84 | 60 |
| Hex | #C0BEB9 | #CBCBC8 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Coventry Gray has cool neutral undertones. A balanced mid-tone gray with minimal undertone. One of BM's most neutral grays. Neither warm nor cool, just gray.
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
Coventry Gray in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral in all lighting. One of the few grays that doesn't pull pink, green, or purple. Clean and contemporary.
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
Coventry Gray has an LRV of 46.84, while Passive has an LRV of 60. That means Passive reflects more light. If you switch from Coventry Gray to Passive, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Coventry Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Coventry Gray for: living room, bedroom, office, hallway, bathroom. With an LRV of 46.84, this is a medium 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.
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 Coventry Gray.
Coventry Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Coventry 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 Coventry Gray (HC-169) is Passive (SW 7064) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Passive is the closest SW match. Both are balanced, neutral mid-tone 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. Coventry Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with cool neutral undertones and an LRV of 46.84. 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.