Ash → Behr
The closest Behr matches for PPG Ash (PPG1025-6), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Ash
If you love PPG Ash but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Ash (PPG1025-6) is a medium-dark taupe with warm ash-taupe undertones. A warm, earthy taupe with ash-like undertones. Deeper than Transcend, with the muted quality of cold fireplace ash. Sophisticated and grounding. PPG's strongest dark neutral option for interiors. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 28) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Ash and every Behr 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 Behr option is Pewter Tray (PPU18-14-2) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Pewter Tray is the closest Behr option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Ash
Pewter Tray is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| Ash | Pewter Tray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 28 | 27 |
| Hex | #A29B92 | #A19F9B |
| Undertone | Warm Ash-Taupe | Cool Pewter Gray |
| Family | Taupe | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Ash has warm ash-taupe undertones. A warm, earthy taupe with ash-like undertones. Deeper than Transcend, with the muted quality of cold fireplace ash. Sophisticated and grounding. PPG's strongest dark neutral option for interiors.
Pewter Tray has cool pewter gray undertones. A cool, pewter-toned mid-tone gray. Clean and balanced. Between Evening Hush and Pewter Mug in depth.
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. Ash's warm ash-taupe quality may read differently than Pewter Tray's cool pewter 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
Ash in Your Room
In bright light, the warm taupe character is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm, substantial dark neutral. The ash quality gives it an organic, lived-in feel.
Pewter Tray in Your Room
Cool and neutral. Reads as a balanced gray. Does not pull warm or cool strongly.
LRV and Brightness
Ash has an LRV of 28, while Pewter Tray has an LRV of 27. 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 Ash
PPG recommends Ash for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, bedroom. With an LRV of 28, this is a medium-dark 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.
Pewter Tray is recommended for: bathroom, office, hallway, bedroom, 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.
Ash in Other Brands
Looking for Ash equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Ash (PPG1025-6) is Pewter Tray (PPU18-14-2) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Pewter Tray is the closest Behr option. Similar character. 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. Ash is a PPG color with warm ash-taupe undertones and an LRV of 28. Pewter Tray is a Behr color with cool pewter gray undertones and an LRV of 27. With a Delta E of 3.7, 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 3.7, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.