Gray Owl vs Repose Gray
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52) and Sherwin Williams Repose Gray (SW 7015).
| Benjamin Moore Gray Owl | Sherwin Williams Repose Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | OC-52 | SW 7015 |
| Hex |
#D7D5CD
|
#CCC7C1
|
| RGB | 215, 213, 205 | 204, 199, 193 |
| LRV | 65.77 | 58 |
| Undertone | Cool Green-Gray | Warm Purple-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
| Best Rooms | Living Room, Bedroom, Bathroom, Hallway, Office | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Bathroom, Whole House |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Gray Owl has an LRV of 65.77 (light) and Repose Gray has an LRV of 58 (medium). Gray Owl will make a room feel noticeably brighter.
The Full Comparison
Two of the most popular light grays from BM and SW respectively. Gray Owl has green undertones that give it a soft, organic quality. Repose Gray has subtle purple-taupe undertones that make it feel warmer and more sophisticated. In a room with lots of greenery or natural wood, Gray Owl's green lean harmonizes. In a room with cool metallics and modern furniture, Repose Gray's taupe quality feels more refined. Gray Owl is the more versatile of the two in rooms with varying light, while Repose Gray performs more consistently but can read slightly purple in north-facing rooms.
Gray Owl 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 Undertones
A warm light gray with subtle purple-taupe undertones. Reads as a true gray in most conditions but avoids feeling cold or stark.
Lighting Behavior
Gray Owl: 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: 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.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Gray Owl (Benjamin Moore) and Repose Gray (Sherwin Williams) are not the same color. They're in the same family (gray), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Gray Owl has cool green-gray undertones, while Repose Gray has warm purple-gray undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Gray Owl is lighter with an LRV of 65.77, compared to Repose Gray's LRV of 58. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Repose Gray (the darker shade, LRV 58) on walls and Gray Owl (the lighter shade, LRV 65.77) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.