Matrix vs Special Gray
Where Matrix belongs to Jotun's range, Special Gray is a Sherwin-Williams color. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. They have nearly identical light reflectance values (20 vs 19), so they'll read as similarly Dark in most lighting conditions. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 3.6 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Matrix vs Special Gray in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Matrix and Special Gray are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Color Details
Matrix vs Special Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Matrix on one side and Special Gray on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Matrix comparisons
See how Matrix stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 20, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 11-point LRV gap (30 vs 20) makes Evergreen Fog the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 20, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
Denim Drift reads slightly lighter (LRV 27 vs 20), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 20, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 20, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
Matrix reads slightly lighter (LRV 20 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Matrix reads slightly lighter (LRV 20 vs 8), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
Matrix reads slightly lighter (LRV 20 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 20), opening up a space where Matrix encloses it.
A 12-point LRV gap (31 vs 20) makes Pale Green the marginally brighter of the two.