Soft Clay → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Behr Soft Clay (PPU5-10), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Soft Clay
If you love Behr Soft Clay 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.
Soft Clay (PPU5-10) is a medium taupe with warm soft clay undertones. A warm, soft clay at medium depth. Lighter than Sculptor Clay, more taupe than Coastal Beige. Natural and earthy. 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 Soft Clay 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Valspar option is Montpelier Ashlar Gray (VR082E) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Montpelier Ashlar Gray is the closest Valspar option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Soft Clay
Montpelier Ashlar Gray is the closest Valspar option. Similar character.
| Soft Clay | Montpelier Ashlar Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 46 | 47 |
| Hex | #BFB6AB | #BFBCB6 |
| Undertone | Warm Soft Clay | Warm Ash Gray |
| Family | Taupe | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Soft Clay has warm soft clay undertones. A warm, soft clay at medium depth. Lighter than Sculptor Clay, more taupe than Coastal Beige. Natural and earthy.
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
Soft Clay in Your Room
Warm and natural. A reliable warm neutral at a versatile depth.
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
Soft Clay 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 Soft Clay
Behr recommends Soft Clay for: living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room, office. 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 Soft Clay.
Soft Clay in Other Brands
Looking for Soft Clay equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Soft Clay (PPU5-10) is Montpelier Ashlar Gray (VR082E) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Montpelier Ashlar Gray is the closest Valspar option. Similar character. 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. Soft Clay is a Behr color with warm soft clay 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 3.7, 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 3.7, 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.