Serious Gray 6256 is a gray paint color from Sherwin-Williams. It has a hex value of #7D848B, LRV 23 and a cool (blue) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Elephant Gray from Valspar (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #7D848B · 6256
Serious Gray
23%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Serious Gray Technical Profile
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Serious Gray in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Serious Gray in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Sherwin-WilliamsSerious Gray
Nearly identical
ValsparElephant Gray
Elephant Gray
Valspar
Nearly identical
Flagstone Grey
PPG
Nearly identical
Telegrey 2
RAL
Nearly identical
December Nights
Kilz
Very similar
Industrialized
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Englewood Cliffs
Benjamin Moore
Very similar
Shadow Mountain
Vista Paint
Very similar
London Road
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Overcast
Behr
Very similar
Storm Cloud
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Wool .04
Colorhouse
Visible difference
Selvedge
Farrow & Ball
Visible difference
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Serious Gray — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Serious Gray
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Serious Gray
#7D848B
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8585AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Serious Gray
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Serious 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 Sherwin-Williams Colors
Other Sherwin-Williams colors close to Serious 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.
Serious Gray — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Serious Gray have?
Serious Gray by Sherwin-Williams 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 Serious Gray in your own space before committing.
What colors match Serious Gray from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Serious Gray are Elephant Gray by Valspar (a near-identical match), Flagstone Grey by PPG (a near-identical match), Telegrey 2 by RAL (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Serious 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 Serious Gray?
Serious Gray has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 22.7, 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 Serious 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 Serious Gray's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.