Great Graphite vs Gray Matters
Great Graphite (Behr) and Gray Matters (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 38 vs 39 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Great Graphite leans yellow, Gray Matters reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 0.9 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Great Graphite vs Gray Matters in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Great Graphite and Gray Matters are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. In photos like these you're seeing the difference at its most direct. In a finished room, the distinction is there but not dramatic.
Color Details
Great Graphite vs Gray Matters Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Great Graphite on one side and Gray Matters on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Great Graphite comparisons
See how Great Graphite stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 69 vs 38, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
Great Graphite reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 38, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (38 vs 30) makes Great Graphite the marginally brighter of the two.
Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 38, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
Great Graphite reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 27), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 5-point LRV gap (43 vs 38) makes French Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 38 vs 4, Great Graphite is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
Great Graphite reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Hardwick White reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 38, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 38 vs 21, Great Graphite is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
At LRV 51 vs 38, Pigeon is decisively the brighter choice.
Great Graphite reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Great Graphite reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 38), opening up a space where Great Graphite encloses it.
A 3-point LRV gap (41 vs 38) makes Dix Blue the marginally brighter of the two.
Great Graphite reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 7-point LRV gap (38 vs 31) makes Great Graphite the marginally brighter of the two.