Up In Smoke → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Up In Smoke
If you love PPG Up In Smoke 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.
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 Sherwin Williams 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 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 Magnetic Gray (SW 7058) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Magnetic Gray is close. Both are clean, neutral grays at similar depth. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Up In Smoke
Magnetic Gray is close. Both are clean, neutral grays at similar depth.
| Up In Smoke | Magnetic Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 42 |
| Hex | #ADABA7 | #B8B7B3 |
| Undertone | Cool Medium Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
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.
Magnetic Gray has cool neutral gray undertones. A clean, cool mid-tone gray. One of SW's most neutral grays with minimal undertone pull.
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
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.
Magnetic Gray in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral. Does not pull warm, cool, purple, or green. Just clean gray.
LRV and Brightness
Up In Smoke has an LRV of 35, while Magnetic Gray has an LRV of 42. That means Magnetic Gray reflects more light. If you switch from Up In Smoke to Magnetic Gray, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
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.
Magnetic Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, 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 Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) is Magnetic Gray (SW 7058) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Magnetic Gray is close. Both are clean, neutral grays at similar depth. 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. Magnetic Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 42. 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 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.