Distant Gray → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Distant Gray (OC-68), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Distant Gray
If you love Benjamin Moore Distant 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.
Distant Gray (OC-68) is a light gray with cool light gray undertones. An ultra-light cool gray. Almost white with gray depth. Modern and clean. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 76.31) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Distant 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 Nebulous White (SW 7063) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Nebulous White is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Distant Gray
Nebulous White is close.
| Distant Gray | Nebulous White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 76.31 | 66 |
| Hex | #E4E2DC | #D7D4CF |
| Undertone | Cool Light Gray | Cool Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Distant Gray has cool light gray undertones. An ultra-light cool gray. Almost white with gray depth. Modern and clean.
Nebulous White has cool gray undertones. A light, cool gray with subtle purple undertones.
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. Distant Gray's cool light gray quality may read differently than Nebulous White's cool gray 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
Distant Gray in Your Room
In bright rooms, nearly white. In dim rooms, the gray adds soft depth.
Nebulous White in Your Room
Cool and refined. The purple is very subtle.
LRV and Brightness
Distant Gray has an LRV of 76.31, while Nebulous White has an LRV of 66. That means Distant Gray reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Distant Gray will make the space feel brighter and more open than Nebulous White. If you are switching to the Sherwin Williams option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Distant Gray
Benjamin Moore recommends Distant Gray for: whole house, hallway, bathroom, bedroom, living room. With an LRV of 76.31, this is a 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.
Nebulous White is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office. 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.
Distant Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Distant 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 Distant Gray (OC-68) is Nebulous White (SW 7063) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Nebulous White is close. 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. Distant Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 76.31. Nebulous White is a Sherwin Williams color with cool gray undertones and an LRV of 66. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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.