Cotton Grey → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Behr Cotton Grey (PPU18-22), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Cotton Grey
If you love Behr Cotton Grey but need a Valspar 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 Valspar, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Cotton Grey (PPU18-22) is a very light white with cool cotton white undertones. A cool, clean white-gray. Like unbleached cotton. Lighter than Smoky White, cooler than Painter's White. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 80) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cotton Grey and every Valspar 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 good news: there is a strong Valspar match for Cotton Grey. Dove White Alt (VR091H) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Dove White Alt is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Cotton Grey
Dove White Alt is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Cotton Grey | Dove White Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 80 | 82 |
| Hex | #E8E6E2 | #E9E8E4 |
| Undertone | Cool Cotton White | Cool Fresh White |
| Family | White | White |
Undertone Comparison
Cotton Grey has cool cotton white undertones. A cool, clean white-gray. Like unbleached cotton. Lighter than Smoky White, cooler than Painter's White.
Dove White Alt has cool fresh white undertones. A cool, fresh white. Valspar's cleanest cool white option for those who want crispness without warmth.
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
Cotton Grey in Your Room
Clean and cool. Functions as a bright cool white in most rooms.
Dove White Alt in Your Room
Cool and crisp. Functions as a clean bright white in all rooms. The cool lean keeps it sharp.
LRV and Brightness
Cotton Grey has an LRV of 80, while Dove White Alt has an LRV of 82. 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 Cotton Grey
Behr recommends Cotton Grey for: trim, ceilings, cabinets, whole house, bathroom. With an LRV of 80, this is a very light color that reflects a lot of light and works well in any room, including smaller spaces where you want to maintain a bright, open feel. It is light enough for whole-house use without making rooms feel washed out or sterile.
Dove White Alt is recommended for: trim, ceilings, cabinets, modern interiors, bathroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Dove White Alt in the same rooms you planned for Cotton Grey.
Cotton Grey in Other Brands
Looking for Cotton Grey equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Cotton Grey (PPU18-22) is Dove White Alt (VR091H) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Dove White Alt is the closest Valspar option. Very close match. 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. Cotton Grey is a Behr color with cool cotton white undertones and an LRV of 80. Dove White Alt is a Valspar color with cool fresh white undertones and an LRV of 82. With a Delta E of 2.3, 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 2.3, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar 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.