Network Gray vs Software
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Network Gray (LRV 37) reflects noticeably more light than Software (LRV 23), a difference of 15 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 12.6, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Network Gray vs Software in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Network Gray and Software in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. The LRV gap is large enough that Network Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Software would.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. Network Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Software.
Color Details
Network Gray vs Software Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Network Gray on one side and Software 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 Network Gray comparisons
See how Network Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 37), opening up a space where Network Gray encloses it.
At LRV 83 vs 37, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 37 vs 6, Network Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 37), opening up a space where Network Gray encloses it.
Network Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 37 vs 30), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 52 vs 37, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 37), opening up a space where Network Gray encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 37, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (37 vs 27) makes Network Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
French Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 37), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Network Gray reflects far more light (LRV 37 vs 4), opening up a space where Naval encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 37, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 37 vs 13, Network Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 6-point LRV gap (44 vs 37) makes Hardwick White the marginally brighter of the two.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 37), opening up a space where Network Gray encloses it.
Network Gray reflects far more light (LRV 37 vs 21), opening up a space where Artichoke encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 37, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 37, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 37, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Pigeon reflects far more light (LRV 51 vs 37), opening up a space where Network Gray encloses it.
At LRV 37 vs 12, Network Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 37 vs 8, Network Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 37, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 41 vs 37), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 37 vs 12, Network Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (45 vs 37) makes Saybrook Sage the marginally brighter of the two.
Network Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 37 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.