Silver Sword → Behr
The closest Behr matches for PPG Silver Sword (PPG0997-3-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Silver Sword
If you love PPG Silver Sword 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.
Silver Sword (PPG0997-3-2) is a medium gray with cool silver gray undertones. A cool, silvery gray. Named for the gleaming blade. Clean and sharp. PPG's most popular neutral mid-tone gray. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 40) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Silver Sword 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 Classic Taupe (PPU5-07) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Classic Taupe 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 Silver Sword
Classic Taupe is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| Silver Sword | Classic Taupe | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 40 | 38 |
| Hex | #B7B6B2 | #B2A89B |
| Undertone | Cool Silver Gray | Warm Taupe |
| Family | Gray | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Silver Sword has cool silver gray undertones. A cool, silvery gray. Named for the gleaming blade. Clean and sharp. PPG's most popular neutral mid-tone gray.
Classic Taupe has warm taupe undertones. A warm, classic taupe. Earthy and grounding.
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. Silver Sword's cool silver gray quality may read differently than Classic Taupe's warm taupe 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
Silver Sword in Your Room
Cool and clean. Neutral in all conditions.
Classic Taupe in Your Room
Warm and natural. A reliable warm taupe.
LRV and Brightness
Silver Sword has an LRV of 40, while Classic Taupe has an LRV of 38. 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 Silver Sword
PPG recommends Silver Sword for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, living room. With an LRV of 40, 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.
Classic Taupe is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office. 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.
Silver Sword in Other Brands
Looking for Silver Sword equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Silver Sword (PPG0997-3-2) is Classic Taupe (PPU5-07) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Classic Taupe 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. Silver Sword is a PPG color with cool silver gray undertones and an LRV of 40. Classic Taupe is a Behr color with warm taupe undertones and an LRV of 38. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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.