Up In Smoke → Behr
The closest Behr matches for PPG Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Up In Smoke
If you love PPG Up In Smoke 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.
Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) is a medium-dark gray with cool medium gray undertones. A cool, clean medium gray. Darker than Cool Concrete, with more presence on the wall. PPG's solid workhorse for rooms that need a definitive gray without warmth or obvious undertones. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 35) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Up In Smoke 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 Hazelwood (PPU5-05) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Hazelwood 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 Up In Smoke
Hazelwood is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| Up In Smoke | Hazelwood | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 35 |
| Hex | #ADABA7 | #AEA396 |
| Undertone | Cool Medium Gray | Warm Hazel Taupe |
| Family | Gray | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Up In Smoke has cool medium gray undertones. A cool, clean medium gray. Darker than Cool Concrete, with more presence on the wall. PPG's solid workhorse for rooms that need a definitive gray without warmth or obvious undertones.
Hazelwood has warm hazel taupe undertones. A warm taupe with the nutty, organic quality of hazelwood. Medium depth with earthy warmth. Grounding without being dark.
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. Up In Smoke's cool medium gray quality may read differently than Hazelwood's warm hazel 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
Up In Smoke in Your Room
Stays neutral and clean. In bright rooms, it reads as a modern medium gray. In dim rooms, it deepens without pulling warm or cool. Predictable and reliable.
Hazelwood in Your Room
Warm and earthy. In bright rooms, a warm, natural taupe. In dim rooms, a cozy, grounding neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Up In Smoke has an LRV of 35, while Hazelwood has an LRV of 35. 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 Up In Smoke
PPG recommends Up In Smoke for: bathroom, office, hallway, bedroom, living room. With an LRV of 35, this is a medium-dark 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.
Hazelwood is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, hallway. 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.
Up In Smoke in Other Brands
Looking for Up In Smoke equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) is Hazelwood (PPU5-05) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Hazelwood 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. Up In Smoke is a PPG color with cool medium gray undertones and an LRV of 35. Hazelwood is a Behr color with warm hazel taupe undertones and an LRV of 35. 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.