Cool Concrete → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for PPG Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Cool Concrete
If you love PPG Cool Concrete but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3) is a medium gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. PPG's most popular true gray. Clean and modern without strong color pulls. The kind of gray that designers love because it stays gray in virtually all conditions. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 46) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cool Concrete and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Coventry Gray (HC-169) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Coventry Gray is the closest BM match. Both are balanced, neutral mid-tone grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Cool Concrete
Coventry Gray is the closest BM match. Both are balanced, neutral mid-tone grays.
| Cool Concrete | Coventry Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 46 | 46.84 |
| Hex | #BDBAB5 | #C0BEB9 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Cool Neutral |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Cool Concrete has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. PPG's most popular true gray. Clean and modern without strong color pulls. The kind of gray that designers love because it stays gray in virtually all conditions.
Coventry Gray has cool neutral undertones. A balanced mid-tone gray with minimal undertone. One of BM's most neutral grays. Neither warm nor cool, just gray.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Cool Concrete in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral. Does not pull pink, green, or purple the way many grays do. In warm light, it reads as a balanced gray. In cool light, it stays clean. One of the more predictable grays available.
Coventry Gray in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral in all lighting. One of the few grays that doesn't pull pink, green, or purple. Clean and contemporary.
LRV and Brightness
Cool Concrete has an LRV of 46, while Coventry Gray has an LRV of 46.84. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Cool Concrete
PPG recommends Cool Concrete for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, living room. With an LRV of 46, this is a medium color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Coventry Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, office, hallway, bathroom. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Cool Concrete in Other Brands
Looking for Cool Concrete equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Cool Concrete (PPG0997-3) is Coventry Gray (HC-169) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Coventry Gray is the closest BM match. Both are balanced, neutral mid-tone grays. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Cool Concrete is a PPG color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 46. Coventry Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with cool neutral undertones and an LRV of 46.84. With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.