African Gray vs Original White
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. African Gray reads as grey, while Original White reads as greige-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. At LRV 74 vs 31, Original White will read as the brighter of the two — a 43-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — African Gray's neutral character against Original White's warm — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 26.5, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
African Gray vs Original White Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see African Gray on one side and Original White 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 African Gray comparisons
See how African Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 31, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 6, African Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.
With LRVs of 31 and 30, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 52 vs 31, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 31, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (31 vs 27) makes African Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.
African Gray reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 4), opening up a space where Naval encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 31, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 31 vs 13, African Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 44 vs 31, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.
African Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 21), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 66 vs 31, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 31, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 31, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 31 vs 12, African Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 31, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 41 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Calamine reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.
African Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 25), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 31 vs 12, African Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 45 vs 31, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 31 and 31, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
African Gray reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.
African Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 24), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 31), opening up a space where African Gray encloses it.