Kendall Charcoal → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Kendall Charcoal
If you love Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal 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.
Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) is a dark gray with warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 12.67) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Kendall Charcoal 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 Metropolis (VR081J) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Metropolis is close in depth but cooler. Both are sophisticated dark grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Kendall Charcoal
Metropolis is close in depth but cooler. Both are sophisticated dark grays.
| Kendall Charcoal | Metropolis | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 12.67 | 28 |
| Hex | #6D6D67 | #A19E99 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Dark Neutral |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Kendall Charcoal has warm green-gray undertones. A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black.
Metropolis has warm dark neutral undertones. A warm, dark neutral gray. Substantial and urban, with enough beige warmth to avoid feeling cold. Named for the energy of a modern city. Works well on exteriors and as a sophisticated interior accent.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Kendall Charcoal's warm green-gray quality may read differently than Metropolis's warm dark neutral character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Kendall Charcoal in Your Room
Reads as a rich charcoal in most rooms. The green undertone shows in very bright light. Pairs beautifully with warm whites and brass accents.
Metropolis in Your Room
In bright light, reads as a warm medium-dark gray. In dim rooms, deepens into a substantial neutral. The warmth prevents it from feeling sterile even at this depth.
LRV and Brightness
Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 12.67, while Metropolis has an LRV of 28. That means Metropolis reflects more light. If you switch from Kendall Charcoal to Metropolis, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Kendall Charcoal
Benjamin Moore recommends Kendall Charcoal for: accent wall, exterior, front door, office, powder room. With an LRV of 12.67, 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.
Metropolis is recommended for: exterior, accent wall, office, front door, 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.
Kendall Charcoal in Other Brands
Looking for Kendall Charcoal equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) is Metropolis (VR081J) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Metropolis is close in depth but cooler. Both are sophisticated dark grays. 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. Kendall Charcoal is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 12.67. Metropolis is a Valspar color with warm dark neutral undertones and an LRV of 28. With a Delta E of 4.8, 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 4.8, 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.