Software vs Steely Gray
Software and Steely Gray come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Software belongs to the grey family and Steely Gray to the blue-grey family. The 8-point LRV gap — 30 for Steely Gray vs 23 for Software — means Steely Gray 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. ΔE 7.3 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Software vs Steely Gray in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Software and Steely 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.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Steely Gray reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. Steely Gray has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Software vs Steely Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Software on one side and Steely 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 Software comparisons
See how Software stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
