Whirlwind vs Light grey
Whirlwind (PPG) and Light grey (RAL Classic) come from different manufacturers. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. The 5-point LRV gap — 58 for Light grey vs 53 for Whirlwind — means Light grey will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 3.6 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Whirlwind vs Light grey in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Whirlwind and Light grey 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. Light grey reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. Light grey has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Light grey has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Light grey reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Whirlwind vs Light grey Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Whirlwind on one side and Light grey 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 Whirlwind comparisons
See how Whirlwind stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
