Dover Gray → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Dover Gray (PPG0998-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Dover Gray
If you love PPG Dover Gray 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 PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Dover Gray (PPG0998-5) is a medium-dark gray with warm medium gray undertones. A warm, medium gray named for the famous English cliffs. Warmer than Cool Concrete, lighter than Up In Smoke. A substantial, grounding neutral. To find a good Sherwin Williams 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 Dover Gray 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 Pewter Tankard (SW 0023) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Pewter Tankard is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Dover Gray
Pewter Tankard is close.
| Dover Gray | Pewter Tankard | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 28 | 39 |
| Hex | #A29F99 | #B2ACA4 |
| Undertone | Warm Medium Gray | Warm Pewter |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Dover Gray has warm medium gray undertones. A warm, medium gray named for the famous English cliffs. Warmer than Cool Concrete, lighter than Up In Smoke. A substantial, grounding neutral.
Pewter Tankard has warm pewter undertones. A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding.
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
Dover Gray in Your Room
Warm and balanced. In bright rooms, a warm medium gray. In dim rooms, grounding warmth.
Pewter Tankard in Your Room
Reads as a warm, substantial gray in most rooms. The earthy warmth prevents it from feeling cold. Works beautifully with natural materials and warm metals.
LRV and Brightness
Dover Gray has an LRV of 28, while Pewter Tankard has an LRV of 39. That means Pewter Tankard reflects more light. If you switch from Dover Gray to Pewter Tankard, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Dover Gray
PPG recommends Dover Gray for: living room, bedroom, exterior, office, accent wall. 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 Tankard is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Pewter Tankard in the same rooms you planned for Dover Gray.
Dover Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Dover Gray equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Dover Gray (PPG0998-5) is Pewter Tankard (SW 0023) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Pewter Tankard is close. 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. Dover Gray is a PPG color with warm medium gray undertones and an LRV of 28. Pewter Tankard is a Sherwin Williams color with warm pewter undertones and an LRV of 39. 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.