Thunderous → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Thunderous (SW 6201), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Thunderous
If you love Sherwin Williams Thunderous 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.
Thunderous (SW 6201) is a dark blue with deep stormy teal undertones. A deep, stormy teal-blue. Darker than Foggy Day, more blue-green than Naval. The color of the ocean during a thunderstorm. Dramatic, moody, and deeply atmospheric. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 8) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Thunderous 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.
Honestly, PPG does not have a perfect equivalent for Thunderous. The closest option is Elf (PPG1131-5) with a Delta E of 6.1, but at that distance the difference will be visible. Elf is the closest PPG option at LRV 25. In the same family but noticeably different. Test a sample before committing. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a PPG store.
PPG Matches for Thunderous
Elf is the closest PPG option at LRV 25. In the same family but noticeably different. Test a sample before committing.
| Thunderous | Elf | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 8 | 25 |
| Hex | #526165 | #99A698 |
| Undertone | Deep Stormy Teal | Medium Sage |
| Family | Blue | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Thunderous has deep stormy teal undertones. A deep, stormy teal-blue. Darker than Foggy Day, more blue-green than Naval. The color of the ocean during a thunderstorm. Dramatic, moody, and deeply atmospheric.
Elf has medium sage undertones. A medium sage green named for its earthy, natural quality. PPG's answer to the medium sage trend.
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. Thunderous's deep stormy teal quality may read differently than Elf's medium sage 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
Thunderous in Your Room
In bright light, the teal character is striking. In dim rooms, it approaches black with blue-green depth. Dramatic and commanding.
Elf in Your Room
In bright rooms, a definite sage. In dim rooms, a warm gray-green.
LRV and Brightness
Thunderous has an LRV of 8, while Elf has an LRV of 25. That means Elf reflects more light. If you switch from Thunderous to Elf, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Thunderous
Sherwin Williams recommends Thunderous for: accent wall, powder room, front door, dining room, office. With an LRV of 8, 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.
Elf is recommended for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, exterior, living room. 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.
Thunderous in Other Brands
Looking for Thunderous equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Thunderous (SW 6201) is Elf (PPG1131-5) with a Delta E of 6.1, which rates as a "approximate" match. Elf is the closest PPG option at LRV 25. In the same family but noticeably different. Test a sample before committing. 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. Thunderous is a Sherwin Williams color with deep stormy teal undertones and an LRV of 8. Elf is a PPG color with medium sage undertones and an LRV of 25. With a Delta E of 6.1, 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 6.1, 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.