Cracked Pepper → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Behr Cracked Pepper (PPU18-01-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Cracked Pepper
If you love Behr Cracked Pepper 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.
Cracked Pepper (PPU18-01-2) is a dark gray with warm near-black undertones. Behr's 2024 Color of the Year. A warm, dark charcoal-black with the speckled warmth of freshly cracked pepper. Bold yet grounded by warm brown undertones. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 7) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cracked Pepper 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.
Honestly, Valspar does not have a perfect equivalent for Cracked Pepper. The closest option is Woodsmoke (VR081P) with a Delta E of 5.5, but at that distance the difference will be visible. Woodsmoke is darker and cooler. Cracked Pepper's warmth makes it more approachable. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a Valspar store.
Valspar Matches for Cracked Pepper
Woodsmoke is darker and cooler. Cracked Pepper's warmth makes it more approachable.
| Cracked Pepper | Woodsmoke | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 7 | 12 |
| Hex | #52504D | #716F6B |
| Undertone | Warm Near-Black | Warm Smoky Charcoal |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Cracked Pepper has warm near-black undertones. Behr's 2024 Color of the Year. A warm, dark charcoal-black with the speckled warmth of freshly cracked pepper. Bold yet grounded by warm brown undertones.
Woodsmoke has warm smoky charcoal undertones. A warm, smoky charcoal. The color of wood smoke. Darker than Tempered Gray, with a warm, organic quality.
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
Cracked Pepper in Your Room
In bright light, the warm brown shows through. In dim rooms, reads as a warm, sophisticated near-black. More alive than a flat black.
Woodsmoke in Your Room
Warm and smoky. In bright rooms, the warm brown-charcoal shows. In dim rooms, approaches a warm near-black.
LRV and Brightness
Cracked Pepper has an LRV of 7, while Woodsmoke has an LRV of 12. 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 Cracked Pepper
Behr recommends Cracked Pepper for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, cabinets, shutters. With an LRV of 7, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Woodsmoke is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets, office. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Cracked Pepper in Other Brands
Looking for Cracked Pepper equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Cracked Pepper (PPU18-01-2) is Woodsmoke (VR081P) with a Delta E of 5.5, which rates as a "approximate" match. Woodsmoke is darker and cooler. Cracked Pepper's warmth makes it more approachable. 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. Cracked Pepper is a Behr color with warm near-black undertones and an LRV of 7. Woodsmoke is a Valspar color with warm smoky charcoal undertones and an LRV of 12. With a Delta E of 5.5, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 5.5, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
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.