Uncertain Gray
Often used for its versatile qualities, Uncertain Gray remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to add character and warmth to any space. We've gathered 10 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#A9B0B1
LRV
42.66
Uncertain Gray's Color Strip
Uncertain Gray is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Samovar Silver and Cadet. The strip spans from Misty at the lightest end to Dark Night at the deepest. Strip 222 makes it easy to compare shades side by side and find the right depth for your space.
Uncertain Gray in Real Rooms
Uncertain Gray has a medium-high LRV of 42.66 — present enough to register on the wall without making a room feel heavy. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Blue family, the photos below show it applied in a misc, dining room, bathroom and bedroom.
6 Misc Photos
Note how Uncertain Gray is used as a "ceiling color" in some of these rooms. This "fifth wall" application is a bold designer move that can make a room feel infinitely more cozy and architecturally unique.
Wooden furniture pieces finished in soft Uncertain Gray.
@dogwood__designs
2 Dining Room Photos
Dining rooms are often the best place to take a "color risk." By choosing Uncertain Gray, you're opting for a shade that is saturated and confident, yet still refined enough to act as a neutral backdrop for colorful table linens and floral arrangements.
Dining room walls painted Uncertain Gray create a calming backdrop.
@mymodernwarmth
Sophisticated Uncertain Gray walls enhance this formal dining space.
@jodyleeharbin
1 Bathroom Photo
In the bathroom, Uncertain Gray brings a spa-like intentionality to the space. It responds well to task lighting and natural light alike, and pairs beautifully with white fixtures, warm wood vanities, or brushed brass hardware for a polished, restful result.
Bathroom walls in gentle Uncertain Gray establish a spa-like atmosphere.
@shorestudiostyle
1 Bedroom Photo
Uncertain Gray creates a bedroom that feels deliberately calm rather than accidentally plain. The color absorbs the first rays of morning light without bouncing them back harshly, which means waking up in this environment feels gentle and gradual. Keep the window treatments simple and let the walls do the heavy lifting.
Master bedroom painted in soothing Uncertain Gray tones.
@fresh.look.colour
Coordinating Colors
Rock Candy reflects far more light (LRV 75 vs 43), opening up a space where Uncertain Gray encloses it.
At LRV 76 vs 43, Origami White is decisively the brighter choice.
Uncertain Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 20), opening up a space where Foggy Day encloses it.
Trim Color
Rock Candy reflects far more light (LRV 75 vs 43), opening up a space where Uncertain Gray encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 43 and 42, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 45 and 43, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
A 4-point LRV gap (46 vs 43) makes Mineral the marginally brighter of the two.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 45 vs 43), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 43 vs 43), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Uncertain Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 39), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 43 and 43, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Colonial Revival Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 48 vs 43), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 4-point LRV gap (43 vs 38) makes Uncertain Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
With LRVs of 43 and 41, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 76 vs 43, Mauve Tinge is decisively the brighter choice.
Studio Mauve reads slightly lighter (LRV 50 vs 43), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 7-point LRV gap (43 vs 35) makes Uncertain Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 81 vs 43, Heavenly White is decisively the brighter choice.
Original White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 43), opening up a space where Uncertain Gray encloses it.
Uncertain Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 35), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Uncertain Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 5), opening up a space where Bitter Chocolate encloses it.
Lighter Colors
With LRVs of 45 and 43, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Colonial Revival Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 48 vs 43), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Samovar Silver reads slightly lighter (LRV 51 vs 43), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 59 vs 43, Gray Screen is decisively the brighter choice.
Evening Shadow reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 43), opening up a space where Uncertain Gray encloses it.
Darker Colors
A 12-point LRV gap (43 vs 31) makes Uncertain Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Uncertain Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 20), opening up a space where Foggy Day encloses it.
With LRVs of 43 and 41, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Uncertain Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 26), opening up a space where Moody Blue encloses it.
Uncertain Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 33), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.