Sharkskin → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Sharkskin (PPG1036-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Sharkskin
If you love PPG Sharkskin 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.
Sharkskin (PPG1036-5) is a dark gray with cool dark gray undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray with the tough, textured quality of sharkskin. PPG's most popular cool dark gray for accent and exterior 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 Sharkskin 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 Keystone Gray Alt (SW 7046) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Anonymous is warmer. Sharkskin is cooler. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Sharkskin
Anonymous is warmer. Sharkskin is cooler.
| Sharkskin | Keystone Gray Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 18 | 19 |
| Hex | #898884 | #8D8A84 |
| Undertone | Cool Dark Gray | Warm Dark Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Sharkskin has cool dark gray undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray with the tough, textured quality of sharkskin. PPG's most popular cool dark gray for accent and exterior applications.
Keystone Gray Alt has warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray with subtle beige undertones. Between Gauntlet Gray and Network Gray. Anonymous in the best sense: it does its job without drawing attention to itself.
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. Sharkskin's cool dark gray quality may read differently than Keystone Gray Alt'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
Sharkskin in Your Room
Cool and clean at a dark depth. In bright rooms, a definite cool gray. In dim rooms, a sophisticated dark neutral.
Keystone Gray Alt in Your Room
The warmth is subtle at this depth. In bright rooms, a warm dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches a warm charcoal. Solid and reliable.
LRV and Brightness
Sharkskin has an LRV of 18, while Keystone Gray Alt has an LRV of 19. 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 Sharkskin
PPG recommends Sharkskin for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, front door, office. 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.
Keystone Gray Alt is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, office, bathroom vanity. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Keystone Gray Alt in the same rooms you planned for Sharkskin.
Sharkskin in Other Brands
Looking for Sharkskin equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Sharkskin (PPG1036-5) is Keystone Gray Alt (SW 7046) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Anonymous is warmer. Sharkskin is cooler. 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. Sharkskin is a PPG color with cool dark gray undertones and an LRV of 18. Keystone Gray Alt is a Sherwin Williams color with warm dark gray undertones and an LRV of 19. With a Delta E of 4.4, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 4.4, 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.