African Gray vs Salty Dog
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Hue-wise, African Gray belongs to the grey family and Salty Dog to the blue family. At LRV 31 vs 5, African Gray will read as the brighter of the two — a 26-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — African Gray's neutral character against Salty Dog's cool — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 40.1, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
African Gray vs Salty Dog in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing African Gray and Salty Dog in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Dining Room
Dining room light is typically the warmest in the house, which shifts both colors toward the red end of the spectrum compared to daylight. African Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Salty Dog.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that African Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Salty Dog would.
Color Details
African Gray vs Salty Dog Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see African Gray on one side and Salty Dog 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.
