Software vs Steely Gray
Software and Steely Gray come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Software belongs to the grey family and Steely Gray to the blue-grey family. The 8-point LRV gap — 30 for Steely Gray vs 23 for Software — means Steely Gray will open up a space more effectively. Both share a neutral character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. ΔE 7.3 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Software vs Steely Gray in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Software and Steely 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
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Steely Gray reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Steely Gray has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Software vs Steely Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Software on one side and Steely 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 Software comparisons
See how Software stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 23, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (30 vs 23) makes Evergreen Fog the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 23, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
Denim Drift reads slightly lighter (LRV 27 vs 23), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 23, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 23, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
Software reads slightly lighter (LRV 23 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Software reflects far more light (LRV 23 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
Software reads slightly lighter (LRV 23 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 23), opening up a space where Software encloses it.
A 9-point LRV gap (31 vs 23) makes Pale Green the marginally brighter of the two.