Paint Color Consultants

Sherwin Williams

Essential Gray

SW 6002

Essential Gray is a balanced, mid-light neutral gray with soft taupe undertones that prevent it from reading too cool or sterile under warm lighting. Its LRV of 48 places it in the middle range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms comfortable in bedrooms, living areas, and open-concept spaces. It coordinates well with Sherwin-Williams Alabaster and Shoji White as trim companions, while Urbane Bronze and Agreeable Gray provide layered depth and tonal continuity across adjoining walls and cabinetry.

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Brand

Sherwin Williams

Code

SW 6002

Collection

Color ID (Minimalist), Pottery Barn Teen (Fall/Winter)

Essential Gray in Different Light

Light temperature is measured in Kelvin: a warm 2700K bulb pulls colors toward yellow, while 5000K daylight reads cooler and truer. Check the color at the time of day you actually use the room.

Artificial Lighting

Bedroom scene to simulate Sherwin Williams Essential Gray under artificial light

Natural Lighting

Living room scene to simulate Sherwin Williams Essential Gray under natural light

Technical Specifications

Undertones

Type

Orange

Strength

Very Low

Temperature

neutral

Hue Angle

20°

Red Family

Lightness

73%

Light

Saturation

4%

Near Neutral

LRV

48.0
0%100%
Very Dark
Dark
Medium
Light
Very Light
White

LRV measures how much light a color reflects, from 0 (black) to 100 (pure white). Below about 50 a color needs good lighting to avoid going flat, 60 and up helps brighten a room, and most whites sit above 80.

Color Position
Saturation →
Lightness →

Color Codes

HEX
#BCB8B6
RGB Decimal
188, 184, 182
RGB Percent
73.7%, 72.2%, 71.4%
HSL
20.0, 4.3%, 72.5%
HSV
20.0, 3.2%, 73.7%
CMYK
0.0%, 2.1%, 3.2%, 26.3%
YIQ
185.0, 3.0, 0.2
XYZ
46.32, 48.35, 51.15
CIE Lab
75.04, 1.04, 1.50
CIE Luv
75.04, 2.41, 2.04
Hunter Lab
69.53, 0.97, 1.38
Decimal
12368054

Coordinating Colors and Color Palettes

Darker Shades

Monochromatic dark

Essential GraySterling SilverMinkVintage Boots

Lighter Shades

Monochromatic light

Essential GrayAngelicaMoon ShadowFall Chill

Complementary

Opposite on color wheel

Essential GrayGalactic TintChromeSweet Illusion

Analogous

Adjacent colors

Essential GrayFresh GraniteFrench LilacCool Sea Air

Closest Paint Matches

Cross-brand matches are close, never exact. Each brand uses different bases and sheens, so sample before you buy gallons.

Sherwin Williams

Essential Gray

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Ponder

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Essential Gray

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March Wind

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Essential Gray

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Fashionable Gray

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Essential Gray

Glidden

Fresh Granite

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Essential Gray

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Pigeon Feather

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Essential Gray

Behr

French Lilac

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Essential Gray

Behr

Classic Silver

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Essential Gray

Glidden

Half Dome

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Essential Gray

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Veiled Violet

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Benjamin Moore

Coventry Gray

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Behr

Weathered Moss

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Gray Stone

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Essential Gray

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Argos

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Essential Gray

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Silver Bells

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Essential Gray

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Solstice

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Essential Gray

Benjamin Moore

Metropolitan