Finding a PPG Equivalent for Natural Choice

If you love Sherwin Williams Natural Choice 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.

Natural Choice (SW 7011) is a light white with warm cream undertones. A warm cream off-white. Slightly darker than Alabaster with more body. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 79) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Natural Choice 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 Gypsum (PPG1025-2) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Gypsum is the closest PPG option at LRV 78. 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 Natural Choice

Gypsum PPG1025-2
Good match · ΔE 3.7

Gypsum is the closest PPG option at LRV 78. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.

Natural ChoiceGypsum
LRV7978
Hex#E8E3D9#E8E2D6
UndertoneWarm CreamWarm Cream
FamilyWhiteOff-White

Undertone Comparison

Natural Choice has warm cream undertones. A warm cream off-white. Slightly darker than Alabaster with more body.

Gypsum has warm cream undertones. A warm, creamy off-white with organic undertones. PPG's answer to the warm white trend. Named for the natural mineral, it captures that earthy, unprocessed quality that makes warm whites feel more natural than clinical.

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

Natural Choice in Your Room

Warm and inviting. A rich warm white with visible cream.

Gypsum in Your Room

Warm and inviting in all rooms. The cream undertone is gentle and never overwhelming. In bright rooms, it reads as a warm white. In dim rooms, the cream provides cozy warmth.

LRV and Brightness

Natural Choice has an LRV of 79, while Gypsum has an LRV of 78. 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 Natural Choice

Sherwin Williams recommends Natural Choice for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, trim. With an LRV of 79, this is a light color that reflects a lot of light and works well in any room, including smaller spaces where you want to maintain a bright, open feel. It is light enough for whole-house use without making rooms feel washed out or sterile.

Gypsum is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, trim, hallway. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Gypsum in the same rooms you planned for Natural Choice.

Natural Choice in Other Brands

Looking for Natural Choice equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest PPG match for Natural Choice (SW 7011) is Gypsum (PPG1025-2) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Gypsum is the closest PPG option at LRV 78. 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. Natural Choice is a Sherwin Williams color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 79. Gypsum is a PPG color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 78. 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.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.