Popular Gray → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Popular Gray (SW 6071), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Popular Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Popular Gray but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Popular Gray (SW 6071) is a medium greige with warm light greige undertones. As its name suggests, one of SW's most requested colors. A light warm greige that works in virtually any space. Crowd-pleasing and versatile. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 58) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Popular Gray and every Behr 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 Behr option is Pier (PPU18-11) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Pier is similar. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Popular Gray
Pier is similar.
| Popular Gray | Pier | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 58 | 58 |
| Hex | #D0C9BE | #CECAC4 |
| Undertone | Warm Light Greige | Warm Light Gray |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Popular Gray has warm light greige undertones. As its name suggests, one of SW's most requested colors. A light warm greige that works in virtually any space. Crowd-pleasing and versatile.
Pier has warm light gray undertones. A light warm gray. Clean and versatile.
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
Popular Gray in Your Room
Warm and universally flattering. Reads as a warm, light neutral in all conditions.
Pier in Your Room
Warm and balanced. A reliable light gray.
LRV and Brightness
Popular Gray has an LRV of 58, while Pier has an LRV of 58. 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 Popular Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Popular Gray for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room. With an LRV of 58, this is a medium 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.
Pier is recommended for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, bathroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Pier in the same rooms you planned for Popular Gray.
Popular Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Popular Gray equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Popular Gray (SW 6071) is Pier (PPU18-11) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Pier is similar. 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. Popular Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm light greige undertones and an LRV of 58. Pier is a Behr color with warm light gray undertones and an LRV of 58. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.