Cool Concrete → Behr
The closest Behr matches for PPG Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Cool Concrete
If you love PPG Cool Concrete 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.
Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3) is a medium gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. PPG's most popular true gray. Clean and modern without strong color pulls. The kind of gray that designers love because it stays gray in virtually all conditions. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 46) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cool Concrete 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 good news: there is a strong Behr match for Cool Concrete. Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Dolphin Fin is the closest Behr option. Very close match.
Behr Matches for Cool Concrete
Dolphin Fin is the closest Behr option. Very close match.
| Cool Concrete | Dolphin Fin | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 46 | 46 |
| Hex | #BDBAB5 | #BAB5AE |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Warm Greige |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Cool Concrete has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. PPG's most popular true gray. Clean and modern without strong color pulls. The kind of gray that designers love because it stays gray in virtually all conditions.
Dolphin Fin has warm greige undertones. A warm medium gray with subtle beige undertones. Behr's answer to the greige trend. Balanced and versatile.
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. Cool Concrete's cool neutral gray quality may read differently than Dolphin Fin's warm greige 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
Cool Concrete in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral. Does not pull pink, green, or purple the way many grays do. In warm light, it reads as a balanced gray. In cool light, it stays clean. One of the more predictable grays available.
Dolphin Fin in Your Room
Reads as a warm, balanced gray in most rooms. Neither too warm nor too cool. A safe, crowd-pleasing choice for any room.
LRV and Brightness
Cool Concrete has an LRV of 46, while Dolphin Fin has an LRV of 46. 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 Cool Concrete
PPG recommends Cool Concrete for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, living room. With an LRV of 46, 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.
Dolphin Fin is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, office, whole house. 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.
Cool Concrete in Other Brands
Looking for Cool Concrete equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3) is Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Dolphin Fin is the closest Behr option. 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. Cool Concrete is a PPG color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 46. Dolphin Fin is a Behr color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 46. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. 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, 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 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.