Lava Gray 1038-6 is a gray paint color from PPG. It has a hex value of #5E686D, LRV 13 and a cool (blue) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Steeled Blue from Dutch Boy (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #5E686D · 1038-6
Lava Gray
13%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Lava Gray Technical Profile
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Lava Gray in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Lava Gray in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
PPGLava Gray
Nearly identical
Dutch BoySteeled Blue
Steeled Blue
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Murky Depths
Kilz
Nearly identical
Powell Gray
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Made of Steel
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Grays Harbor
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Blue Metal
Behr
Very similar
Bottlenose Dolphin
Valspar
Very similar
Grafton Grey
Vista Paint
Very similar
Greybeard
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Inchyra Blue
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Wool .06
Colorhouse
Visible difference
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Lava Gray
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Lava Gray
#5E686D
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#666E98
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Lava Gray
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Lava Gray Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Lava Gray.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Lava Gray — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Lava Gray have?
Lava Gray by PPG has a cool (blue) undertone and sits in the gray color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Lava Gray in your own space before committing.
What colors match Lava Gray from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Lava Gray are Steeled Blue by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match), Murky Depths by Kilz (a near-identical match), Powell Gray by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Lava Gray's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Lava Gray?
Lava Gray has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 13.4, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light.
Explore More with Lava Gray
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Lava Gray's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.