Dover Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for PPG Dover Gray (PPG0998-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Dover Gray
If you love PPG Dover Gray 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 PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Dover Gray (PPG0998-5) is a medium-dark gray with warm medium gray undertones. A warm, medium gray named for the famous English cliffs. Warmer than Cool Concrete, lighter than Up In Smoke. A substantial, grounding neutral. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 28) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dover Gray 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 Dover Gray. Metropolis (VR084B) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Metropolis is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Dover Gray
Metropolis is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Dover Gray | Metropolis | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 28 | 28 |
| Hex | #A29F99 | #A19E99 |
| Undertone | Warm Medium Gray | Warm Dark Neutral |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Dover Gray has warm medium gray undertones. A warm, medium gray named for the famous English cliffs. Warmer than Cool Concrete, lighter than Up In Smoke. A substantial, grounding neutral.
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.
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
Dover Gray in Your Room
Warm and balanced. In bright rooms, a warm medium gray. In dim rooms, grounding warmth.
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
Dover Gray has an LRV of 28, while Metropolis has an LRV of 28. 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 Dover Gray
PPG recommends Dover Gray for: living room, bedroom, exterior, office, accent wall. With an LRV of 28, this is a medium-dark 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.
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.
Dover Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Dover Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Dover Gray (PPG0998-5) is Metropolis (VR084B) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Metropolis 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. Dover Gray is a PPG color with warm medium gray undertones and an LRV of 28. Metropolis is a Valspar color with warm dark neutral undertones and an LRV of 28. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. 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, 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.