Imperial Gray vs Agreeable Gray
Imperial Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Agreeable Gray (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Imperial Gray belongs to the green-grey family and Agreeable Gray to the greige-grey family. The 14-point LRV gap — 60 for Agreeable Gray vs 47 for Imperial Gray — means Agreeable Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where Imperial Gray leans green, Agreeable Gray reads warm — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 9.6 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Imperial Gray vs Agreeable Gray in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Imperial Gray and Agreeable Gray 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.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Agreeable Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. Agreeable Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Agreeable Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Imperial Gray vs Agreeable Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Imperial Gray on one side and Agreeable Gray 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 Imperial Gray comparisons
See how Imperial Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 47, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (52 vs 47) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 30, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Accessible Beige reads slightly lighter (LRV 58 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (47 vs 43) makes Imperial Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 4, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter (LRV 55 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Imperial Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 47 vs 44), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 47, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 21, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 47), opening up a space where Imperial Gray encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (47 vs 41) makes Imperial Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 68 vs 47, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 25, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Imperial Gray reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
With LRVs of 47 and 45, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 47 vs 31, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 7, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 24, Imperial Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (57 vs 47) makes Guilford Green the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 72 vs 47, Just Walnut is decisively the brighter choice.