Gothic Arch → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Gothic Arch (PPG1025-7), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Gothic Arch
If you love PPG Gothic Arch 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.
Gothic Arch (PPG1025-7) is a dark taupe with warm deep taupe undertones. A deep, warm taupe named for medieval architectural arches. Rich and earthy, with the gravitas of ancient stone. PPG's darkest warm neutral for bold accent applications. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 18) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Gothic Arch 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 Network Gray (SW 7073) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Network Gray is similar in depth and warmth. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Gothic Arch
Network Gray is similar in depth and warmth.
| Gothic Arch | Network Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 18 | 22 |
| Hex | #90877D | #94918C |
| Undertone | Warm Deep Taupe | Warm Dark Gray |
| Family | Taupe | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Gothic Arch has warm deep taupe undertones. A deep, warm taupe named for medieval architectural arches. Rich and earthy, with the gravitas of ancient stone. PPG's darkest warm neutral for bold accent applications.
Network Gray has warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray. Deeper than Dorian Gray, less dark than Online. Named for the connections it creates between light and dark in a room. A solid, reliable dark neutral.
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. Gothic Arch's warm deep taupe quality may read differently than Network Gray's warm dark 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
Gothic Arch in Your Room
In bright light, the warm taupe is rich and visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a warm, dark charcoal. The warmth keeps it from feeling cold even at this depth.
Network Gray in Your Room
Warm and grounding. In bright rooms, reads as a warm medium-dark gray. In dim rooms, the depth provides drama without oppressiveness.
LRV and Brightness
Gothic Arch has an LRV of 18, while Network Gray has an LRV of 22. 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 Gothic Arch
PPG recommends Gothic Arch for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, front door. With an LRV of 18, this is a 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.
Network Gray is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Network Gray in the same rooms you planned for Gothic Arch.
Gothic Arch in Other Brands
Looking for Gothic Arch equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Gothic Arch (PPG1025-7) is Network Gray (SW 7073) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Network Gray is similar in depth and warmth. 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. Gothic Arch is a PPG color with warm deep taupe undertones and an LRV of 18. Network Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm dark gray undertones and an LRV of 22. 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.