Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Gray Stone

If you love PPG Gray Stone 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.

Gray Stone (PPG0999-4) is a medium-dark gray with warm medium-dark gray undertones. A warm, medium-dark gray with stone-like undertones. Deeper than Cool Concrete, with the warm, organic quality of natural stone. PPG's go-to for substantial accent grays. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 26) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Gray Stone 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 Gray Stone. Cathedral Stone (VR082C) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Cathedral Stone is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.

Valspar Matches for Gray Stone

Excellent match · ΔE 2.2

Cathedral Stone is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.

Gray StoneCathedral Stone
LRV2625
Hex#9D9B97#9D9993
UndertoneWarm Medium-Dark GrayWarm Dark Gray
FamilyGrayGray

Undertone Comparison

Gray Stone has warm medium-dark gray undertones. A warm, medium-dark gray with stone-like undertones. Deeper than Cool Concrete, with the warm, organic quality of natural stone. PPG's go-to for substantial accent grays.

Cathedral Stone has warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray with stone-like undertones. Substantial and grounding, like the weathered stone of an old cathedral. More warm and earthy than a cool charcoal.

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

Gray Stone in Your Room

The stone warmth is consistent. In bright rooms, the warm gray is grounding and sophisticated. In dim rooms, it deepens into a rich, warm dark neutral.

Cathedral Stone in Your Room

In bright light, the warm stone quality is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a rich, warm dark gray. The warmth keeps it from feeling cold or industrial.

LRV and Brightness

Gray Stone has an LRV of 26, while Cathedral Stone has an LRV of 25. 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 Gray Stone

PPG recommends Gray Stone for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 26, 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.

Cathedral Stone is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, front door. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Cathedral Stone in the same rooms you planned for Gray Stone.

Gray Stone in Other Brands

Looking for Gray Stone equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Valspar match for Gray Stone (PPG0999-4) is Cathedral Stone (VR082C) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Cathedral Stone 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. Gray Stone is a PPG color with warm medium-dark gray undertones and an LRV of 26. Cathedral Stone is a Valspar color with warm dark gray undertones and an LRV of 25. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, 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.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.