Gray Owl → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Gray Owl
If you love Benjamin Moore Gray Owl 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.
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 Sherwin Williams 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 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 Repose Gray (SW 7015) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Repose Gray is warmer and more purple. Gray Owl is cooler and greener. Both are popular light grays but with different undertone characters. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Gray Owl
Repose Gray is warmer and more purple. Gray Owl is cooler and greener. Both are popular light grays but with different undertone characters.
| Gray Owl | Repose Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 65.77 | 58 |
| Hex | #D7D5CD | #CCC7C1 |
| Undertone | Cool Green-Gray | Warm Purple-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.
Repose Gray has warm purple-gray undertones. A warm light gray with subtle purple-taupe undertones. Reads as a true gray in most conditions but avoids feeling cold or stark.
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 Repose Gray's warm purple-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.
Repose Gray in Your Room
The purple undertone is most visible in bright, cool light. In warm or dim light, it reads as a clean warm gray. Pairs well with both warm and cool accents.
LRV and Brightness
Gray Owl has an LRV of 65.77, while Repose Gray has an LRV of 58. That means Gray Owl reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Gray Owl will make the space feel brighter and more open than Repose Gray. If you are switching to the Sherwin Williams option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
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.
Repose Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom, whole house. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Repose Gray in the same rooms you planned for Gray Owl.
Gray Owl in Other Brands
Looking for Gray Owl equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Gray Owl (OC-52) is Repose Gray (SW 7015) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Repose Gray is warmer and more purple. Gray Owl is cooler and greener. Both are popular light grays but with different undertone characters. 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. Repose Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm purple-gray undertones and an LRV of 58. 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.