Intellectual Gray → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Intellectual Gray (SW 7045), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Intellectual Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Intellectual 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.
Intellectual Gray (SW 7045) is a medium-dark greige with warm greige undertones. A rich medium greige with warm earthy undertones. Grounding and sophisticated. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 36) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Intellectual 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest PPG option is Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Up In Smoke is the closest PPG option at LRV 35. 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 Intellectual Gray
Up In Smoke is the closest PPG option at LRV 35. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Intellectual Gray | Up In Smoke | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 36 | 35 |
| Hex | #B1ABA2 | #ADABA7 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Cool Medium Gray |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Intellectual Gray has warm greige undertones. A rich medium greige with warm earthy undertones. Grounding and sophisticated.
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.
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. Intellectual Gray's warm greige quality may read differently than Up In Smoke's cool medium 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
Intellectual Gray in Your Room
Warm and substantial. Reads as a rich greige with presence.
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.
LRV and Brightness
Intellectual Gray has an LRV of 36, while Up In Smoke 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 Intellectual Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Intellectual Gray for: living room, bedroom, dining room, accent wall, office. With an LRV of 36, 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.
Up In Smoke is recommended for: bathroom, office, hallway, bedroom, 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.
Intellectual Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Intellectual Gray equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Intellectual Gray (SW 7045) is Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Up In Smoke is the closest PPG option at LRV 35. 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. Intellectual Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 36. Up In Smoke is a PPG color with cool medium gray undertones and an LRV of 35. 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.