Felted Wool → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Felted Wool (SW 9171), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Felted Wool
If you love Sherwin Williams Felted Wool 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.
Felted Wool (SW 9171) is a medium greige with warm wool greige undertones. A warm greige with the textural quality of felted wool. At medium depth, it adds warmth and substance. Named for the fabric, it carries that same handmade, organic quality. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 44) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Felted Wool 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 Online Alt (PPG0994-4) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Online Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 45. 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 Felted Wool
Online Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 45. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Felted Wool | Online Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 44 | 45 |
| Hex | #BCB7AE | #BCBBB7 |
| Undertone | Warm Wool Greige | Cool Silver Gray |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Felted Wool has warm wool greige undertones. A warm greige with the textural quality of felted wool. At medium depth, it adds warmth and substance. Named for the fabric, it carries that same handmade, organic quality.
Online Alt has cool silver gray undertones. A cool silver-gray. Between Thin Ice and Cool Concrete. PPG's most balanced mid-light gray.
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. Felted Wool's warm wool greige quality may read differently than Online Alt's cool silver gray 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
Felted Wool in Your Room
The warmth is consistent and organic. In bright rooms, the greige reads as warm and natural. In dim rooms, cozy and inviting.
Online Alt in Your Room
Cool and balanced. A reliable neutral gray at a versatile depth.
LRV and Brightness
Felted Wool has an LRV of 44, while Online Alt has an LRV of 45. 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 Felted Wool
Sherwin Williams recommends Felted Wool for: living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway, office. With an LRV of 44, 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.
Online Alt is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. 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.
Felted Wool in Other Brands
Looking for Felted Wool equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Felted Wool (SW 9171) is Online Alt (PPG0994-4) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Online Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 45. 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. Felted Wool is a Sherwin Williams color with warm wool greige undertones and an LRV of 44. Online Alt is a PPG color with cool silver gray undertones and an LRV of 45. With a Delta E of 3.7, 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 3.7, 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.