Grayish vs Proper Gray

GrayishSherwin-WilliamsvsProper GraySherwin-WilliamsΔE 12.5Distinct difference

Grayish and Proper Gray come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 20-point LRV gap — 60 for Grayish vs 40 for Proper Gray — means Grayish will open up a space more effectively. Both share a neutral character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. A ΔE of 12.5 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.

Grayish vs Proper Gray in Real Spaces

1 real room side by side. Seeing Grayish and Proper Gray in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.

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. Grayish returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.

GrayishGrayish Bathroom

@duffyconstruction

Proper GrayBathroom

@youhavetobreakitbeforeyoufixit

Color Details

Grayish
Sherwin-Williams · 6001
Hex#CFCAC7
LRV59.6
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number6001
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessLight
Proper Gray
Sherwin-Williams · 6003
Hex#ADA8A5
LRV39.6
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number6003
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessMedium

Grayish vs Proper Gray Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Grayish on one side and Proper Gray on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

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 Grayish comparisons

See how Grayish stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

White Dove
Grayish
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
White Dove
LRV 83

White Dove reads noticeably lighter

Ammonite
Grayish
Ammonite
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite reads slightly lighter

Iron Ore
Grayish
Iron Ore
Sherwin-Williams
Iron Ore
LRV 6

Grayish is the lighter choice

Purbeck Stone
Grayish
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Purbeck Stone
LRV 52

Grayish reads slightly lighter

Evergreen Fog
Grayish
Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams
Evergreen Fog
LRV 30

Grayish is the lighter choice

Mizzle
Grayish
Mizzle
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Grayish reads slightly lighter

Agreeable Gray
Grayish
Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Agreeable Gray
LRV 60

Nearly identical in tone

Denim Drift
Grayish
Denim Drift
Dulux
Denim Drift
LRV 27

Grayish is the lighter choice

Tranquil Dawn
Grayish
Tranquil Dawn
Dulux
Tranquil Dawn
LRV 55

Grayish reads slightly lighter

Balboa Mist
Grayish
Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist
LRV 66

Balboa Mist reads slightly lighter

Vintage Vogue
Grayish
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Vintage Vogue
LRV 12

Grayish is the lighter choice

Pale Green
Grayish
Pale Green
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Grayish is the lighter choice

Pine Needle
Grayish
Pine Needle
Dulux
Pine Needle
LRV 7

Grayish is the lighter choice

Cement grey
Grayish
Cement grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

Grayish is the lighter choice

Black grey
Grayish
Black grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Black grey
LRV 6

Grayish is the lighter choice

Piazza
Grayish
Piazza
Tikkurila
Piazza
LRV 65

Piazza reads slightly lighter

Humble Yellow
Grayish
Humble Yellow
Jotun
Humble Yellow
LRV 57

Grayish reads slightly lighter

Windmill Lane
Grayish
Windmill Lane
Little Greene
Windmill Lane
LRV 31

Grayish is the lighter choice

Senses
Grayish
Senses
Jotun
Senses
LRV 41

Grayish reads noticeably lighter

Lamp Black
Grayish
Lamp Black
Little Greene
Lamp Black
LRV 3

Grayish is the lighter choice

Washed Linen
Grayish
Washed Linen
Jotun
Washed Linen
LRV 55

Grayish reads slightly lighter

Tea with Florence
Grayish
Tea with Florence
Little Greene
Tea with Florence
LRV 18

Grayish is the lighter choice

Thames Fog
Grayish
Thames Fog
Valspar
Thames Fog
LRV 27

Grayish is the lighter choice

Ocean Abyss
Grayish
Ocean Abyss
Behr
Ocean Abyss
LRV 7

Grayish is the lighter choice

Classic Silver
Grayish
Classic Silver
Behr
Classic Silver
LRV 48

Grayish reads slightly lighter

Teton Blue
Grayish
Teton Blue
Behr
Teton Blue
LRV 31

Grayish is the lighter choice

RAL 110-2
Grayish
RAL 110-2
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-2
LRV 72

RAL 110-2 reads noticeably lighter

RAL 110-1
Grayish
RAL 110-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-1
LRV 80

RAL 110-1 reads noticeably lighter

Paper
Grayish
Paper
Tikkurila
Paper
LRV 88

Paper is the lighter choice

Passageway
Grayish
Passageway
Valspar
Passageway
LRV 14

Grayish is the lighter choice