Real Red vs Software
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Real Red reads as pink-red, while Software reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. At LRV 23 vs 13, Software will read as the brighter of the two — a 9-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Real Red's warm character against Software's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 69.3, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Real Red vs Software in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Real Red 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.
Color Details
Real Red vs Software Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Real Red 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 Real Red comparisons
See how Real Red stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 13, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 13, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 27 vs 13, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 13, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 44 vs 13, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 13, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 13, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 68 vs 13, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 45 vs 13, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.
Real Red reads slightly lighter (LRV 13 vs 7), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cement grey reads slightly lighter (LRV 24 vs 13), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 13), opening up a space where Real Red encloses it.