Fog → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for PPG Fog (PPG0997-2-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Fog
If you love PPG Fog but need a Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Fog (PPG0997-2-2) is a medium gray with cool fog gray undertones. A cool, neutral light gray named for morning fog. Clean and modern. PPG's most popular light neutral gray. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 52) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Fog and every Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams option is Argos (SW 7065) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Argos is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Fog
Argos is close.
| Fog | Argos | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 52 | 54 |
| Hex | #C6C5C1 | #C8C6C2 |
| Undertone | Cool Fog Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Fog has cool fog gray undertones. A cool, neutral light gray named for morning fog. Clean and modern. PPG's most popular light neutral gray.
Argos has cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Named for the ancient Greek city. One of SW's most reliably neutral grays. It just looks like gray, period.
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
Fog in Your Room
Cool and clean. Reads as a neutral light gray in all conditions.
Argos in Your Room
Neutral in all conditions. Does not pull warm, cool, pink, green, or purple. Under warm light it stays gray. Under cool light it stays gray. The most boring answer is sometimes the right one.
LRV and Brightness
Fog has an LRV of 52, while Argos has an LRV of 54. 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 Fog
PPG recommends Fog for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, whole house, office. With an LRV of 52, this is a medium color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Argos is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Argos in the same rooms you planned for Fog.
Fog in Other Brands
Looking for Fog equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Fog (PPG0997-2-2) is Argos (SW 7065) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Argos is close. 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. Fog is a PPG color with cool fog gray undertones and an LRV of 52. Argos is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 54. 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 Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams 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.