Iron Ore → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Iron Ore
If you love Sherwin Williams Iron Ore 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.
Iron Ore (SW 7069) is a dark black with warm brown-black undertones. A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 6) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Iron Ore 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 Porpoise Alt (PPG0997-7) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Dark Ash is close in depth but cooler. Iron Ore's warmth is part of its appeal. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Iron Ore
Dark Ash is close in depth but cooler. Iron Ore's warmth is part of its appeal.
| Iron Ore | Porpoise Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 6 | 16 |
| Hex | #524C47 | #817E7A |
| Undertone | Warm Brown-Black | Warm Dark Ash |
| Family | Black | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Iron Ore has warm brown-black undertones. A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason.
Porpoise Alt has warm dark ash undertones. A warm, dark ash gray. Between Up In Smoke and Thunderstorm. The warm brown gives it earthy character at a dark depth.
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
Iron Ore in Your Room
In bright light, the warm brown undertone is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. Warmer than a true black, which gives it depth.
Porpoise Alt in Your Room
Warm and grounding. In bright rooms, a warm dark gray. In dim rooms, approaching charcoal.
LRV and Brightness
Iron Ore has an LRV of 6, while Porpoise Alt has an LRV of 16. That means Porpoise Alt reflects more light. If you switch from Iron Ore to Porpoise Alt, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Iron Ore
Sherwin Williams recommends Iron Ore for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, cabinets, shutters. With an LRV of 6, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Porpoise Alt is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, office, front door. 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.
Iron Ore in Other Brands
Looking for Iron Ore equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Iron Ore (SW 7069) is Porpoise Alt (PPG0997-7) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Dark Ash is close in depth but cooler. Iron Ore's warmth is part of its appeal. 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. Iron Ore is a Sherwin Williams color with warm brown-black undertones and an LRV of 6. Porpoise Alt is a PPG color with warm dark ash undertones and an LRV of 16. With a Delta E of 4.8, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 4.8, 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 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.