Gray Palomino → Behr
The closest Behr matches for PPG Gray Palomino (PPG0998-3), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Gray Palomino
If you love PPG Gray Palomino 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.
Gray Palomino (PPG0998-3) is a medium greige with warm greige undertones. A warm, balanced light greige. PPG's version of the universal greige that every brand needs. Enough gray to feel modern, enough beige to feel warm. A reliable whole-house neutral. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 52) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Gray Palomino 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Behr option is Cellini Gold (HDC-CL-18) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Cellini Gold is the closest Behr option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Gray Palomino
Cellini Gold is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| Gray Palomino | Cellini Gold | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 52 | 52 |
| Hex | #C7C1B7 | #CABDA8 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Golden Beige |
| Family | Greige | Beige |
Undertone Comparison
Gray Palomino has warm greige undertones. A warm, balanced light greige. PPG's version of the universal greige that every brand needs. Enough gray to feel modern, enough beige to feel warm. A reliable whole-house neutral.
Cellini Gold has warm golden beige undertones. A warm, golden beige inspired by the Renaissance sculptor. Rich and earthy with a warm gold quality that elevates rooms beyond basic beige.
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. Gray Palomino's warm greige quality may read differently than Cellini Gold's warm golden beige 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
Gray Palomino in Your Room
Balanced and predictable. The greige character reads consistently across lighting conditions. In bright rooms, the gray dominates slightly. In warm light, the beige comes forward.
Cellini Gold in Your Room
The golden warmth is rich and appealing. In south-facing rooms, it glows. In north-facing rooms, it adds welcome warmth. A beige with character.
LRV and Brightness
Gray Palomino has an LRV of 52, while Cellini Gold has an LRV of 52. 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 Gray Palomino
PPG recommends Gray Palomino for: whole house, hallway, living room, bedroom, bathroom. With an LRV of 52, this is a medium color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Cellini Gold is recommended for: living room, dining room, bedroom, hallway, study. 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.
Gray Palomino in Other Brands
Looking for Gray Palomino equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Gray Palomino (PPG0998-3) is Cellini Gold (HDC-CL-18) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Cellini Gold is the closest Behr option. Similar character. 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. Gray Palomino is a PPG color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 52. Cellini Gold is a Behr color with warm golden beige undertones and an LRV of 52. With a Delta E of 3.5, 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 3.5, 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 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.