Flintstone → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Flintstone (PPG0997-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Flintstone
If you love PPG Flintstone 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.
Flintstone (PPG0997-5) is a medium-dark gray with warm flint gray undertones. A warm, dark gray with the strike-ready quality of flintstone. Deeper than Dover Gray, lighter than Sharkskin. Grounding and purposeful. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 20) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Flintstone 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 Dovetail (SW 7018) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Dovetail is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Flintstone
Dovetail is close.
| Flintstone | Dovetail | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 20 | 26 |
| Hex | #928F8A | #9D9A94 |
| Undertone | Warm Flint Gray | Warm Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Flintstone has warm flint gray undertones. A warm, dark gray with the strike-ready quality of flintstone. Deeper than Dover Gray, lighter than Sharkskin. Grounding and purposeful.
Dovetail has warm gray undertones. A warm, medium-dark gray with subtle beige undertones. Named for the woodworking joint, it carries a crafted, artisanal quality.
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
Flintstone in Your Room
Warm and substantial. In bright rooms, a warm dark gray. In dim rooms, approaching charcoal.
Dovetail in Your Room
Warm and substantial. Reads as a warm medium-dark gray in most conditions.
LRV and Brightness
Flintstone has an LRV of 20, while Dovetail has an LRV of 26. That means Dovetail reflects more light. If you switch from Flintstone to Dovetail, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Flintstone
PPG recommends Flintstone for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, office, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 20, 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.
Dovetail is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, office, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Dovetail in the same rooms you planned for Flintstone.
Flintstone in Other Brands
Looking for Flintstone equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Flintstone (PPG0997-5) is Dovetail (SW 7018) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Dovetail 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. Flintstone is a PPG color with warm flint gray undertones and an LRV of 20. Dovetail is a Sherwin Williams color with warm gray undertones and an LRV of 26. With a Delta E of 4, 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 4, 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.