Winter Cocoa works as a warm neutral anchor — pairs cleanly with most existing palettes and reads forgiving across lighting conditions. At LRV 32 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it if you want a crisp, cool-modern look, or in rooms with heavy north light that can pull its warmth slightly muddy.
Ref. #A1978B · PPG1000-4
Winter Cocoa
32%LRV Value
Winter Cocoa Technical Profile
What color is PPG Winter Cocoa (PPG1000-4)? It's a medium warm gray — hex #A1978B, LRV 32. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Winter Cocoa is Dunn-Edwards Barnwood Gray — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Coastal Villa and Behr Greywood also close. Its LRV of 32 gives Winter Cocoa depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. As a warm neutral, Winter Cocoa pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. At mid depth, Winter Cocoa grounds a space without darkening it — it holds up on lower walls, kitchen islands, and as a wraparound where a lighter neutral would feel washed out. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler. At mid depth Winter Cocoa holds its character across bulb temperatures, shifting only slightly warm under 2700K and slightly crisper under cool daylight.
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Colors Similar to Winter Cocoa
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Barnwood Gray
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Coastal Villa
Valspar
Nearly identical
Greywood
Behr
Nearly identical
Shenandoah
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Rain Barrel
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Pewter Tankard
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Dusky Gray
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Big Spender
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Winter Cocoa
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Winter Cocoa
#A1978B
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#ACAD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Winter Cocoa
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Winter Cocoa 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 Winter Cocoa.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Winter Cocoa — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Winter Cocoa from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Winter Cocoa are Barnwood Gray by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Coastal Villa by Valspar (a near-identical match), Greywood 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 Winter Cocoa'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 Winter Cocoa?
Winter Cocoa has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 31.6, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural 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 Winter Cocoa
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 Winter Cocoa depends on the room. Here's how to choose.