Summer Shadow is a true neutral — the rare paint color that doesn't push warm or cool, which makes it forgiving across mixed-lighting rooms and existing palettes. At LRV 11 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it only if you specifically want a clear warm or cool bias — a true neutral stays intentionally undecided, which is the whole point.
Ref. #5E5E5D · PPG0996-7
Summer Shadow
11%LRV Value
Summer Shadow Technical Profile
What color is PPG Summer Shadow (PPG0996-7)? It's a dark neutral gray — hex #5E5E5D, LRV 11. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Summer Shadow is Dunn-Edwards Charcoal Smudge — a near-identical match on the wall, with Vista Paint Great Graphite and Behr Shades on also close. With an LRV of 11, Summer Shadow creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Summer Shadow is a true neutral — pair with any wood, any metal, any trim color. Off-white trim works in most homes; brushed nickel or matte black hardware both read well across spaces. As a deeper neutral, Summer Shadow reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. True neutrals read consistently across lighting conditions, which is why they're popular base colors. They inherit a faint warm cast under 2700K and a cool cast under 4000K, but never dramatically. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Summer Shadow in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Colors Similar to Summer Shadow
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Charcoal Smudge
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Great Graphite
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Shades on
Behr
Nearly identical
Forged Steel
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Zen Retreat
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Muted Ebony
Valspar
Nearly identical
Ambler Slate
Benjamin Moore
Very similar
Ship'S Anchor
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Summer Shadow
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Summer Shadow
#5E5E5D
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#778F5F
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Summer Shadow
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Summer Shadow 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 Summer Shadow.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Summer Shadow — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Summer Shadow from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Summer Shadow are Charcoal Smudge by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Great Graphite by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Shades on by Behr (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Summer Shadow's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Summer Shadow?
Summer Shadow has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 11.2, 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. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Summer Shadow
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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Summer Shadow depends on the room. Here's how to choose.