Network Gray vs Software
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Network Gray (LRV 37) reflects noticeably more light than Software (LRV 23), a difference of 15 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 12.6, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Network Gray vs Software in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Network Gray and Software in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that Network Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Software would.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. Network Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Software.
Color Details
Network Gray vs Software Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Network Gray on one side and Software 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 Network Gray comparisons
See how Network Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
