Online Alt → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Online Alt (PPG0994-4), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Online Alt
If you love PPG Online Alt 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.
Online Alt (PPG0994-4) is a medium gray with cool silver gray undertones. A cool silver-gray. Between Thin Ice and Cool Concrete. PPG's most balanced mid-light gray. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 45) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Online Alt 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 Argos (SW 7065) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Argos is lighter. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Online Alt
Argos is lighter.
| Online Alt | Argos | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 45 | 54 |
| Hex | #BCBBB7 | #C8C6C2 |
| Undertone | Cool Silver Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Online Alt has cool silver gray undertones. A cool silver-gray. Between Thin Ice and Cool Concrete. PPG's most balanced mid-light gray.
Argos has cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Named for the ancient Greek city. One of SW's most reliably neutral grays. It just looks like gray, period.
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
Online Alt in Your Room
Cool and balanced. A reliable neutral gray at a versatile depth.
Argos in Your Room
Neutral in all conditions. Does not pull warm, cool, pink, green, or purple. Under warm light it stays gray. Under cool light it stays gray. The most boring answer is sometimes the right one.
LRV and Brightness
Online Alt has an LRV of 45, while Argos has an LRV of 54. That means Argos reflects more light. If you switch from Online Alt to Argos, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Online Alt
PPG recommends Online Alt for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. With an LRV of 45, 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.
Argos is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Argos in the same rooms you planned for Online Alt.
Online Alt in Other Brands
Looking for Online Alt equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Online Alt (PPG0994-4) is Argos (SW 7065) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Argos is lighter. 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. Online Alt is a PPG color with cool silver gray undertones and an LRV of 45. Argos is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 54. 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.