Finding a PPG Equivalent for Nebula

If you love Sherwin Williams Nebula 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.

Nebula (SW 7652-2) is a light gray with cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. More depth than Big Chill, less color than Silverpointe. Named for the cosmic cloud. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 61) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Nebula 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 Whiskers (PPG1025-3) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Whiskers is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. 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 Nebula

Whiskers PPG1025-3
Good match · ΔE 3.7

Whiskers is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.

NebulaWhiskers
LRV6162
Hex#D1CFCA#D4CEC3
UndertoneCool Light GrayWarm Light Greige
FamilyGrayGreige

Undertone Comparison

Nebula has cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. More depth than Big Chill, less color than Silverpointe. Named for the cosmic cloud.

Whiskers has warm light greige undertones. A light, warm greige with a soft, approachable quality. PPG's most popular neutral. Lighter than a true greige, warmer than a white, it sits in the sweet spot that makes whole-house color effortless.

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. Nebula's cool light gray quality may read differently than Whiskers's warm light greige 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

Nebula in Your Room

Clean and neutral. A reliable light gray that stays gray in all conditions.

Whiskers in Your Room

Reads as a warm, airy neutral in most conditions. The greige undertone is subtle enough that it can function as a warm off-white in bright rooms and a light gray in dim rooms.

LRV and Brightness

Nebula has an LRV of 61, while Whiskers has an LRV of 62. 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 Nebula

Sherwin Williams recommends Nebula for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, whole house, office. With an LRV of 61, this is a light 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.

Whiskers is recommended for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, bathroom. 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.

Nebula in Other Brands

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest PPG match for Nebula (SW 7652-2) is Whiskers (PPG1025-3) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Whiskers is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. 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. Nebula is a Sherwin Williams color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 61. Whiskers is a PPG color with warm light greige undertones and an LRV of 62. 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.