Elf (PPG1131-5)
A medium sage green named for its earthy, natural quality. PPG's answer to the medium sage trend.
About PPG Elf
Elf (PPG1131-5) is a green from PPG's collection with an LRV of 25 and medium sage undertones. A medium sage green named for its earthy, natural quality. PPG's answer to the medium sage trend.
Elf is a deeper color with an LRV of 25, meaning it absorbs more light than it reflects. This gives it real drama and sophistication. It works well on accent walls, exterior siding, front doors, cabinets, and architectural features where you want a bold statement. In a full room application, make sure you have adequate lighting and use bright white trim to prevent the space from feeling too dark.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
Elf has an LRV of 25, placing it in the medium-dark range on the 0-to-100 scale. LRV measures the percentage of visible light a color reflects. A pure black has an LRV of 0 and a pure white has an LRV of 100. Understanding a color's LRV helps you predict how it will feel in your space: higher LRV means brighter and more spacious, lower LRV means cozier and more intimate.
Undertone Analysis
Elf has medium sage undertones. Undertones are the subtle background colors that become visible in different lighting conditions. Even colors that look "neutral" in the store will reveal their undertones once they are on your walls and interacting with natural light, artificial light, and the colors around them.
A medium sage green named for its earthy, natural quality. PPG's answer to the medium sage trend. Neutral undertones give you the most flexibility in decorating. This color should coordinate well with both warm elements (wood, brass, cream) and cool elements (chrome, marble, blue-gray), making it a versatile foundation for any design direction.
Lighting Behavior
In bright rooms, a definite sage. In dim rooms, a warm gray-green.
Every paint color looks different depending on the light source in your room. South-facing rooms get warm, direct sunlight that brings out yellow and warm undertones. North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that emphasizes blue and gray undertones. East-facing rooms are bright and warm in the morning, cooler in the afternoon. West-facing rooms are the opposite: cool morning, warm afternoon. Incandescent and warm LED bulbs push colors warmer, while cool-white LEDs and fluorescent tubes push colors cooler. To avoid surprises, always test Elf with a physical sample on your actual wall, and observe it at different times of day before committing.
Best Rooms for Elf
PPG recommends Elf for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, exterior, living room.
Closest Matches in Other Brands
Find the closest equivalent to PPG Elf from other paint brands. Matches are calculated using Delta E (CIE2000), the industry standard for measuring perceptual color difference.
Benjamin Moore Matches
Sherwin Williams Matches
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for PPG Elf is Acacia Haze (SW 9132) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Acacia Haze is similar. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart, while 2 to 4 means the difference is subtle.
Elf has medium sage undertones. A medium sage green named for its earthy, natural quality. PPG's answer to the medium sage trend. Undertones become most visible when the color is on a large surface like a wall, and they shift depending on the light source in your room. Always test with a physical sample in your specific space to see how the undertones interact with your lighting, flooring, and furnishings.
Elf (PPG1131-5) has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 25, which puts it in the medium-dark range. LRV measures the percentage of light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). At 25, this is a darker color that creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Pair it with bright white trim for the best contrast.
Elf leans neutral, with medium sage undertones that do not strongly push warm or cool. This makes it one of the more versatile colors in its family, pairing well with both warm and cool accent colors and finishes. In bright rooms, a definite sage. In dim rooms, a warm gray-green.
Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.