Plummett → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Farrow & Ball Plummett (No.272), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Plummett
If you love Farrow & Ball Plummett 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 Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Plummett (No.272) is a medium-dark gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, balanced mid-dark gray. One of the most truly neutral grays in the F&B range. Named for the plumb line used in construction. Straight, true, and honest, just like the color. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 24) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Plummett 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 Tinsmith (SW 7657) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Tinsmith is the closest SW match. Both are neutral mid-tone grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Plummett
Tinsmith is the closest SW match. Both are neutral mid-tone grays.
| Plummett | Tinsmith | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 24 | 32 |
| Hex | #999996 | #A9A7A3 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Plummett has cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, balanced mid-dark gray. One of the most truly neutral grays in the F&B range. Named for the plumb line used in construction. Straight, true, and honest, just like the color.
Tinsmith has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced mid-tone gray. Clean and neutral.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Plummett in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral in all conditions. The most predictable gray in the F&B range. Does not pull warm, cool, blue, green, or purple. Under all light sources, it simply reads as gray.
Tinsmith in Your Room
Neutral and clean. Does not pull warm or cool.
LRV and Brightness
Plummett has an LRV of 24, while Tinsmith has an LRV of 32. That means Tinsmith reflects more light. If you switch from Plummett to Tinsmith, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Plummett
Farrow & Ball recommends Plummett for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, accent wall. With an LRV of 24, this is a medium-dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Tinsmith is recommended for: office, hallway, bathroom, 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.
Plummett in Other Brands
Looking for Plummett equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Plummett (No.272) is Tinsmith (SW 7657) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Tinsmith is the closest SW match. Both are neutral mid-tone grays. 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. Plummett is a Farrow & Ball color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 24. Tinsmith is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 32. 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.