Thin Ice → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Thin Ice (PPG1001-3), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Thin Ice
If you love PPG Thin Ice 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.
Thin Ice (PPG1001-3) is a light gray with cool light gray undertones. A very light, cool gray with minimal undertone. Like a thin sheet of ice over still water. Clean, modern, and barely there. PPG's answer to the ultra-light gray trend. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 64) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Thin Ice 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 Big Chill (SW 7648) with a Delta E of 3, which is a "good match" level match. Big Chill is very close. Both are clean, light grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Thin Ice
Big Chill is very close. Both are clean, light grays.
| Thin Ice | Big Chill | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 64 | 62 |
| Hex | #D4D4D1 | #D3D3D0 |
| Undertone | Cool Light Gray | Cool Light Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Thin Ice has cool light gray undertones. A very light, cool gray with minimal undertone. Like a thin sheet of ice over still water. Clean, modern, and barely there. PPG's answer to the ultra-light gray trend.
Big Chill has cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Minimal undertone.
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
Thin Ice in Your Room
In bright rooms, nearly white with the faintest gray depth. In dim rooms, the gray becomes slightly more apparent. Stays neutral without pulling warm or cool.
Big Chill in Your Room
Clean and modern. A reliable cool light gray.
LRV and Brightness
Thin Ice has an LRV of 64, while Big Chill has an LRV of 62. 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 Thin Ice
PPG recommends Thin Ice for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, whole house, office. With an LRV of 64, this is a light 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.
Big Chill 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 Big Chill in the same rooms you planned for Thin Ice.
Thin Ice in Other Brands
Looking for Thin Ice equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Thin Ice (PPG1001-3) is Big Chill (SW 7648) with a Delta E of 3, which rates as a "good match" match. Big Chill is very close. Both are clean, light grays. 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. Thin Ice is a PPG color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 64. Big Chill is a Sherwin Williams color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 62. With a Delta E of 3, 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, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
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.