Van Deusen Blue → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Van Deusen Blue
If you love Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue 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.
Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is a dark blue with smoky blue undertones. A medium-dark smoky blue from the Historical Collection. More approachable than a full navy, with gray undertones that keep it sophisticated and versatile. A popular choice for accent walls and home offices. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 11.52) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Van Deusen Blue 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 Gravity Dark (VR093A) with a Delta E of 3.9, which is a "good match" level match. Gravity Dark is the closest Valspar option at LRV 14. 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 Van Deusen Blue
Gravity Dark is the closest Valspar option at LRV 14. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Van Deusen Blue | Gravity Dark | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 11.52 | 14 |
| Hex | #586C76 | #747E72 |
| Undertone | Smoky Blue | Dark Moss Green |
| Family | Blue | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Van Deusen Blue has smoky blue undertones. A medium-dark smoky blue from the Historical Collection. More approachable than a full navy, with gray undertones that keep it sophisticated and versatile. A popular choice for accent walls and home offices.
Gravity Dark has dark moss green undertones. A dark, mossy green. Valspar's deepest sage. Earthy and dramatic, like a forest floor carpeted in moss.
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. Van Deusen Blue's smoky blue quality may read differently than Gravity Dark's dark moss green 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
Van Deusen Blue in Your Room
In bright light, the blue is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray softens it into a moody neutral. Under warm light, it feels cozy. Under cool light, the blue sharpens.
Gravity Dark in Your Room
In bright rooms, the moss-green is visible and organic. In dim rooms, a dark, moody gray-green.
LRV and Brightness
Van Deusen Blue has an LRV of 11.52, while Gravity Dark has an LRV of 14. 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 Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore recommends Van Deusen Blue for: accent wall, office, bedroom, dining room, exterior. With an LRV of 11.52, 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.
Gravity Dark is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, kitchen cabinets, front door, powder room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Gravity Dark in the same rooms you planned for Van Deusen Blue.
Van Deusen Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Van Deusen Blue equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is Gravity Dark (VR093A) with a Delta E of 3.9, which rates as a "good match" match. Gravity Dark is the closest Valspar option at LRV 14. 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. Van Deusen Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 11.52. Gravity Dark is a Valspar color with dark moss green undertones and an LRV of 14. With a Delta E of 3.9, 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 3.9, 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.