Gris vs Unusual Gray
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. With LRVs of 39 and 38, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. They share a neutral quality — useful to know if you're layering them in the same space. At ΔE 3.4, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gris vs Unusual Gray in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Gris and Unusual 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.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Color Details
Gris vs Unusual Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gris on one side and Unusual 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 Gris comparisons
See how Gris stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 39), opening up a space where Gris encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 39, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 9-point LRV gap (39 vs 30) makes Gris the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 39, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 39), opening up a space where Gris encloses it.
Gris reflects far more light (LRV 39 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (43 vs 39) makes French Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 39), opening up a space where Gris encloses it.
Hardwick White reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 39), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 39, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 39), opening up a space where Gris encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 39), opening up a space where Gris encloses it.
Gris reflects far more light (LRV 39 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 39), opening up a space where Gris encloses it.
Gris reflects far more light (LRV 39 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 39), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 8-point LRV gap (39 vs 31) makes Gris the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 39 vs 24, Gris is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 57 vs 39, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.