Repose Gray SW 7015 is the slightly deeper cool gray, with an LRV of 58 and a lean that can flash lavender in cool light.
Gray Owl OC-52 is the slightly lighter chameleon gray, with an LRV of 61 and a subtle green/cool undertone that shifts with the room.
They sit at almost the same depth (LRV 58 versus 61), so the tiebreaker is the undertone lean, not the lightness: lavender-prone cool gray versus green-leaning chameleon. Test both on a photo of your space before you commit.
Repose Gray and Gray Owl are the two cool grays that come up most when a homeowner is comparing Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore side by side. Here is the catch: they sit at almost the same depth, Repose Gray at LRV 58 and Gray Owl at 61, so the usual depth test does not settle it. The real difference is the lean. Repose Gray runs cooler and can flash lavender in north light. Gray Owl is a chameleon with a subtle green/cool undertone that shifts warm or cool with the room. This is our side-by-side method for comparing paint colors applied to the two cool grays that bridge the two biggest US brands.
The numbers side by side
| Attribute | Repose Gray SW 7015 | Gray Owl OC-52 |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Cool gray | Light gray, chameleon |
| LRV | 58 | 61 |
| Approximate hex | #C8C2B6 | #D3D4CC |
| Undertone | Cool, can flash lavender/blue in cool light | Subtle green/cool, shifts warm and cool |
| Loves | Whole-home cool neutral, bright rooms | Bright, chameleon, airy, open plan |
| Watch out for | Lavender flash in cool north light | Green undertone showing in some light |
| Overall vibe | Cool, clean, bright | Light, chameleon, airy |
Try it on your house
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LRV figures are the published values from each brand. Hex values are approximate digital renderings only, and screens vary; the authoritative reference is always a physical paint chip from the retailer.
Upload one photo, get a photorealistic render, then swap to Gray Owl in one click. Free, no signup.
Room by room, light by light
| Situation | Usual winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| North-facing, cool light | Gray Owl | Its chameleon lean handles cool light; Repose Gray can flash lavender here. |
| Bright south, warm light | Repose Gray | Warm light tames Repose Gray's lavender and reads as a clean cool gray. |
| Kitchen with white cabinets | Gray Owl | The chameleon, LRV 61 reads bright and clean against white. |
| Bedroom | Repose Gray | The slightly deeper LRV 58 reads grounded and calm for a bedroom. |
| Small or dim room | Gray Owl | The LRV 61 bounces a touch more light; Repose Gray can feel heavier here. |
| Whole main floor, open plan | Gray Owl | The chameleon shifts to fit each exposure, so it flows across connected spaces. |
Because both sit around LRV 58 to 61, depth does not decide this duel, the undertone lean does. Gray Owl wins wherever you want a chameleon that shifts to fit the room and stays bright. Repose Gray wins wherever you want a clean cool gray and the light is warm enough to keep its lavender asleep. They are close enough that in some lights they nearly merge, so the only reliable way to tell them apart is on your own wall.
When to choose Repose Gray
- You want a clean, cool whole-home gray with a slightly grounded feel.
- Your room gets warm light (south exposure or warm bulbs) that keeps the lavender asleep.
- You like a gray that reads cool and crisp rather than shifty and chameleon.
- You want a touch more depth than Gray Owl for a bedroom or den. For the full breakdown, see our Repose Gray undertones and best rooms guide.
When to choose Gray Owl
- You want a chameleon gray that shifts to fit each room and stays bright.
- Your room gets cool north light, where Repose Gray could flash lavender.
- You are painting a kitchen with white cabinets, or an open-plan floor that flows across exposures.
- You like a gray with a subtle green/cool undertone that reads airy rather than flat cool. For more on this chameleon, see our Gray Owl review and best rooms guide, and for a same-brand matchup, our Agreeable Gray vs Repose Gray duel.
Same wall, both cool grays, your actual light. Free render in about 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Repose Gray and Gray Owl?
The difference is the lean, not the depth. Both sit around LRV 58 to 61, so they are almost equally light. Repose Gray SW 7015 runs cooler and can flash lavender in cool light. Gray Owl OC-52 is a chameleon with a subtle green/cool undertone that shifts with the room. They are cross-brand (Sherwin-Williams versus Benjamin Moore) and near-twins in depth, so the choice comes down to the undertone lean.
Which is lighter, Repose Gray or Gray Owl?
Gray Owl is a hair lighter. Its LRV is 61, compared with 58 for Repose Gray. That 3-point gap is too small to decide on. The real difference is the undertone lean: Repose Gray reads cool and can flash lavender, Gray Owl reads chameleon with a subtle green/cool undertone. Pick the lean that fits your light, not the lighter one.
Do Repose Gray and Gray Owl have the same undertones?
They are in the same cool gray family, but they lean differently. Repose Gray runs cooler and can flash lavender or blue in cool north light. Gray Owl is a chameleon with a subtle green/cool undertone that shifts warm or cool with the room. They can nearly merge in some lights, which is why sampling both on your wall is the only reliable way to tell them apart.
Can I see both colors on my own wall before I buy paint?
Yes. Upload one photo of your room to FacadeColorizer, get a photorealistic render in Repose Gray, then swap to Gray Owl in one click. Because both sit around LRV 58 to 61, you are judging the undertone lean on your actual wall, in your actual light, which is the only honest way to settle this duel. The first HD render and three color variations are free.
1 HD render plus 3 free color variations. Start with Repose Gray, swap to Gray Owl in one click.
Trademark notice. Sherwin-Williams and Repose Gray are trademarks of The Sherwin-Williams Company. Benjamin Moore and Gray Owl are trademarks of Benjamin Moore & Co. FacadeColorizer is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these companies. Brand and color names are used descriptively (nominative fair use). Hex and RGB values are approximate digital renderings; the only authoritative reference is a physical paint sample.
Trademarks mentioned (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Caparol, Brillux, Sto, Alpina, Valspar, PPG, Glidden, Dulux, Crown Trade, Sandtex, Farrow & Ball, Johnstone's, Leyland) are property of their respective owners. FacadeColorizer is independent and not affiliated with any of them. Nominative fair use under Lanham Act §1125.
