Dolphin Fin → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Behr Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Dolphin Fin
If you love Behr Dolphin Fin 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.
Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06) is a medium gray with warm greige undertones. A warm medium gray with subtle beige undertones. Behr's answer to the greige trend. Balanced and versatile. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 46) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dolphin Fin 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 Dolphin Fin. Montpelier Ashlar Gray (VR082E) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Montpelier Ashlar Gray is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Dolphin Fin
Montpelier Ashlar Gray is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Dolphin Fin | Montpelier Ashlar Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 46 | 47 |
| Hex | #BAB5AE | #BFBCB6 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Ash Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Dolphin Fin has warm greige undertones. A warm medium gray with subtle beige undertones. Behr's answer to the greige trend. Balanced and versatile.
Montpelier Ashlar Gray has warm ash gray undertones. A warm gray with subtle ash undertones. From Valspar's Heritage collection. The color of hand-cut ashlar stone in historic buildings. Sophisticated and timeless.
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
Dolphin Fin in Your Room
Reads as a warm, balanced gray in most rooms. Neither too warm nor too cool. A safe, crowd-pleasing choice for any room.
Montpelier Ashlar Gray in Your Room
Warm and balanced. In bright rooms, a warm mid-tone gray. In dim rooms, cozy and grounding.
LRV and Brightness
Dolphin Fin has an LRV of 46, while Montpelier Ashlar Gray has an LRV of 47. 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 Dolphin Fin
Behr recommends Dolphin Fin for: living room, bedroom, hallway, office, whole house. With an LRV of 46, this is a medium color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Montpelier Ashlar Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, office, exterior. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Montpelier Ashlar Gray in the same rooms you planned for Dolphin Fin.
Dolphin Fin in Other Brands
Looking for Dolphin Fin equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Dolphin Fin (PPU26-06) is Montpelier Ashlar Gray (VR082E) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Montpelier Ashlar Gray 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. Dolphin Fin is a Behr color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 46. Montpelier Ashlar Gray is a Valspar color with warm ash gray undertones and an LRV of 47. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, 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.