Basalt Powder → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Basalt Powder
If you love Sherwin Williams Basalt Powder 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.
Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2) is a medium blue with soft blue undertones. A soft, powder-light blue-gray. Named for the volcanic rock ground to dust. More blue than Tidal Salt, lighter than Stardew. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 58) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Basalt Powder 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest PPG option is Dusty Miller (PPG1032-2) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Dusty Miller is the closest PPG option at LRV 58. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Basalt Powder
Dusty Miller is the closest PPG option at LRV 58. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Basalt Powder | Dusty Miller | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 58 | 58 |
| Hex | #C7D1D2 | #C8D2C8 |
| Undertone | Soft Blue | Soft Sage Green |
| Family | Blue | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Basalt Powder has soft blue undertones. A soft, powder-light blue-gray. Named for the volcanic rock ground to dust. More blue than Tidal Salt, lighter than Stardew.
Dusty Miller has soft sage green undertones. A soft, muted sage green with gray undertones. PPG's take on the spa-green trend. Calming and natural without being bold. The gray keeps it sophisticated while the green keeps it fresh.
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. Basalt Powder's soft blue quality may read differently than Dusty Miller's soft sage green 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
Basalt Powder in Your Room
The blue is soft and powdery. In bright rooms, a gentle blue. In dim rooms, a cool, calming gray.
Dusty Miller in Your Room
In bright light, the green is soft and pleasant. In cool or dim rooms, the gray comes forward. A versatile, calming color that reads differently depending on your room's light source.
LRV and Brightness
Basalt Powder has an LRV of 58, while Dusty Miller has an LRV of 58. 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 Basalt Powder
Sherwin Williams recommends Basalt Powder for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, hallway, laundry room. With an LRV of 58, this is a medium 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.
Dusty Miller is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, kitchen, sunroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Dusty Miller in the same rooms you planned for Basalt Powder.
Basalt Powder in Other Brands
Looking for Basalt Powder equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2) is Dusty Miller (PPG1032-2) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Dusty Miller is the closest PPG option at LRV 58. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. 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. Basalt Powder is a Sherwin Williams color with soft blue undertones and an LRV of 58. Dusty Miller is a PPG color with soft sage green undertones and an LRV of 58. 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 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.