Dragon's Breath → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath (1547), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Dragon's Breath
If you love Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath 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 Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Dragon's Breath (1547) is a dark brown with deep warm brown undertones. A deep, rich warm brown with the intensity its name suggests. Not a black-brown but a true chocolate-espresso tone. Bold and warming. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 6.88) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dragon's Breath 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 Timber Dust (VR078D) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Dragon's Breath
Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Dragon's Breath | Timber Dust | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 6.88 | 20 |
| Hex | #53483F | #958D83 |
| Undertone | Deep Warm Brown | Warm Timber Brown |
| Family | Brown | Brown |
Undertone Comparison
Dragon's Breath has deep warm brown undertones. A deep, rich warm brown with the intensity its name suggests. Not a black-brown but a true chocolate-espresso tone. Bold and warming.
Timber Dust has warm timber brown undertones. A warm, woody brown with sawdust quality. Darker than Frappe, lighter than London Coach. Organic and crafted.
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
Dragon's Breath in Your Room
In bright light, the rich brown is visible and appealing. In dim rooms, a warm near-black. Under warm light, the chocolate quality emerges.
Timber Dust in Your Room
Warm and woody. In bright rooms, the brown is visible. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Dragon's Breath has an LRV of 6.88, while Timber Dust has an LRV of 20. That means Timber Dust reflects more light. If you switch from Dragon's Breath to Timber Dust, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Dragon's Breath
Benjamin Moore recommends Dragon's Breath for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, cabinets, powder room. With an LRV of 6.88, 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.
Timber Dust is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, cabinets. 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.
Dragon's Breath in Other Brands
Looking for Dragon's Breath equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Dragon's Breath (1547) is Timber Dust (VR078D) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. 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. Dragon's Breath is a Benjamin Moore color with deep warm brown undertones and an LRV of 6.88. Timber Dust is a Valspar color with warm timber brown undertones and an LRV of 20. With a Delta E of 4, 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 4, 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.