Ref. #7D848B · 6256
Serious Gray
23%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Serious Gray Technical Profile
What color is Serious Gray? It's a deep cool gray with the hex code #7D848B. Colors similar to Serious Gray include Valspar Elephant Gray, RAL Telegrey 2, Kilz December Nights. Serious Gray has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 23, Serious Gray creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a cool neutral, Serious Gray pairs with cool whites for trim, gray-toned or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Black accents and natural greenery add contrast. Cool neutrals hold their crisp quality under 4000K+ daylight bulbs. Under 2700K warm light they soften considerably — particularly true for any blue or green undertone.
Colors Similar to Serious Gray
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
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 belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Serious Gray from other brands?
The closest matches are Elephant Gray by Valspar (#7B8189), Telegrey 2 by RAL (#82898F), December Nights by Kilz (#7C878E). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Serious Gray?
Serious Gray has an LRV of 22.7, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
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.