Nimbus → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Benjamin Moore Nimbus (1465), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Nimbus
If you love Benjamin Moore Nimbus 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.
Nimbus (1465) is a medium gray with warm green-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm green undertones. Deeper than Silver Chain, greener than Smoke Embers. A sophisticated mid-tone neutral. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 43.28) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Nimbus 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 Nimbus. Online Alt (PPG0994-4) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Online Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 45. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Nimbus
Online Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 45. Very close match.
| Nimbus | Online Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 43.28 | 45 |
| Hex | #BAB7B0 | #BCBBB7 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Cool Silver Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Nimbus has warm green-gray undertones. A medium gray with warm green undertones. Deeper than Silver Chain, greener than Smoke Embers. A sophisticated mid-tone neutral.
Online Alt has cool silver gray undertones. A cool silver-gray. Between Thin Ice and Cool Concrete. PPG's most balanced mid-light gray.
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. Nimbus's warm green-gray quality may read differently than Online Alt's cool silver 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
Nimbus in Your Room
The green is subtle but present. In bright rooms, it reads as a soft sage-gray. In dim rooms, it's a warm medium gray.
Online Alt in Your Room
Cool and balanced. A reliable neutral gray at a versatile depth.
LRV and Brightness
Nimbus has an LRV of 43.28, while Online Alt has an LRV of 45. 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 Nimbus
Benjamin Moore recommends Nimbus for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall. With an LRV of 43.28, 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.
Online Alt is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. 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.
Nimbus in Other Brands
Looking for Nimbus equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Nimbus (1465) is Online Alt (PPG0994-4) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Online Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 45. 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. Nimbus is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 43.28. Online Alt is a PPG color with cool silver gray undertones and an LRV of 45. 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.