Earl Blue vs Network Gray
Earl Blue (Dulux) and Network Gray (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Earl Blue belongs to the blue-grey family and Network Gray to the grey family. The 4-point LRV gap — 41 for Earl Blue vs 37 for Network Gray — means Earl Blue will open up a space more effectively. Where Earl Blue leans cool, Network Gray reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 2.5 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Earl Blue vs Network Gray in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Earl Blue and Network 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.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Earl Blue reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. Earl Blue has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Earl Blue vs Network Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Earl Blue on one side and Network 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 Earl Blue comparisons
See how Earl Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
