Gray Owl → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Gray Owl
If you love Benjamin Moore Gray Owl 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 Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Gray Owl (OC-52) is a light gray with cool green-gray undertones. A light, cool gray with a subtle green undertone. Reads as a clean, modern gray that avoids pink or purple. Slightly cooler than Edgecomb Gray. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 65.77) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Gray Owl 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 good news: there is a strong PPG match for Gray Owl. Thin Ice (PPG1001-3) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Thin Ice is the closest PPG option at LRV 64. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Gray Owl
Thin Ice is the closest PPG option at LRV 64. Very close match.
| Gray Owl | Thin Ice | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 65.77 | 64 |
| Hex | #D7D5CD | #D4D4D1 |
| Undertone | Cool Green-Gray | Cool Light Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Gray Owl has cool green-gray undertones. A light, cool gray with a subtle green undertone. Reads as a clean, modern gray that avoids pink or purple. Slightly cooler than Edgecomb Gray.
Thin Ice has cool light gray undertones. A very light, cool gray with minimal undertone. Like a thin sheet of ice over still water. Clean, modern, and barely there. PPG's answer to the ultra-light gray trend.
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. Gray Owl's cool green-gray quality may read differently than Thin Ice's cool light 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
Gray Owl in Your Room
The green shows in north-facing or cool-lit rooms. In warm light, it reads as a clean neutral gray. A go-to for people who want gray without warmth.
Thin Ice in Your Room
In bright rooms, nearly white with the faintest gray depth. In dim rooms, the gray becomes slightly more apparent. Stays neutral without pulling warm or cool.
LRV and Brightness
Gray Owl has an LRV of 65.77, while Thin Ice has an LRV of 64. 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 Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore recommends Gray Owl for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, office. With an LRV of 65.77, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Thin Ice is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, whole house, 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.
Gray Owl in Other Brands
Looking for Gray Owl equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Gray Owl (OC-52) is Thin Ice (PPG1001-3) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Thin Ice is the closest PPG option at LRV 64. Very close match. 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. Gray Owl is a Benjamin Moore color with cool green-gray undertones and an LRV of 65.77. Thin Ice is a PPG color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 64. With a Delta E of 2.3, 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 2.3, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
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.