Aloof Gray → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray (SW 6197), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Aloof Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray but need a PPG 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 PPG, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Aloof Gray (SW 6197) is a medium gray with cool neutral undertones. A balanced mid-tone gray. Clean and neutral. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 47) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Aloof Gray and every PPG 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 good news: there is a strong PPG match for Aloof Gray. Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Cool Concrete is the closest PPG option at LRV 46. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Aloof Gray
Cool Concrete is the closest PPG option at LRV 46. Very close match.
| Aloof Gray | Cool Concrete | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 47 | 46 |
| Hex | #BEBCB7 | #BDBAB5 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Aloof Gray has cool neutral undertones. A balanced mid-tone gray. Clean and neutral.
Cool Concrete has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. PPG's most popular true gray. Clean and modern without strong color pulls. The kind of gray that designers love because it stays gray in virtually all conditions.
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
Aloof Gray in Your Room
Stays neutral. Does not pull warm or cool strongly.
Cool Concrete in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral. Does not pull pink, green, or purple the way many grays do. In warm light, it reads as a balanced gray. In cool light, it stays clean. One of the more predictable grays available.
LRV and Brightness
Aloof Gray has an LRV of 47, while Cool Concrete has an LRV of 46. 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 Aloof Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Aloof Gray for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. With an LRV of 47, 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.
Cool Concrete is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Cool Concrete in the same rooms you planned for Aloof Gray.
Aloof Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Aloof Gray equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Aloof Gray (SW 6197) is Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Cool Concrete is the closest PPG option at LRV 46. Very close match. 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. Aloof Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral undertones and an LRV of 47. Cool Concrete is a PPG color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 46. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, 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 PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG 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.