Taupe Tone → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Taupe Tone (SW 7633), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Taupe Tone
If you love Sherwin Williams Taupe Tone 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.
Taupe Tone (SW 7633) is a medium-dark taupe with warm taupe undertones. A warm, rich taupe. Deeper than Tony Taupe. Named for its tonal quality, it grounds rooms with earthy warmth. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 23) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Taupe Tone 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 Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Dusty Aqua Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 22. 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 Taupe Tone
Dusty Aqua Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 22. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Taupe Tone | Dusty Aqua Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 23 | 22 |
| Hex | #968F86 | #92928F |
| Undertone | Warm Taupe | Cool Dark Neutral |
| Family | Taupe | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Taupe Tone has warm taupe undertones. A warm, rich taupe. Deeper than Tony Taupe. Named for its tonal quality, it grounds rooms with earthy warmth.
Dusty Aqua Alt has cool dark neutral undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays.
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. Taupe Tone's warm taupe quality may read differently than Dusty Aqua Alt's cool dark neutral 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
Taupe Tone in Your Room
Warm and grounding. In bright rooms, a rich taupe. In dim rooms, cozy and intimate.
Dusty Aqua Alt in Your Room
Neutral and solid. In bright rooms, a clean dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches a sophisticated medium-dark charcoal. Does not pull warm or cool.
LRV and Brightness
Taupe Tone has an LRV of 23, while Dusty Aqua Alt has an LRV of 22. 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 Taupe Tone
Sherwin Williams recommends Taupe Tone for: accent wall, exterior, dining room, office, bedroom. With an LRV of 23, this is a medium-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.
Dusty Aqua Alt is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Dusty Aqua Alt in the same rooms you planned for Taupe Tone.
Taupe Tone in Other Brands
Looking for Taupe Tone equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Taupe Tone (SW 7633) is Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Dusty Aqua Alt is the closest PPG option at LRV 22. 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. Taupe Tone is a Sherwin Williams color with warm taupe undertones and an LRV of 23. Dusty Aqua Alt is a PPG color with cool dark neutral undertones and an LRV of 22. 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.