Swirl → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for PPG Swirl (PPG1022-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Swirl
If you love PPG Swirl 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.
Swirl (PPG1022-2) is a light off-white with warm swirl cream undertones. A warm, swirling off-white with beige undertones. Named for the gentle motion of cream in coffee. Organic and inviting. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 73) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Swirl 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 Swirl. Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Woodrow Wilson Putty is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Swirl
Woodrow Wilson Putty is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Swirl | Woodrow Wilson Putty | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 73 | 72 |
| Hex | #E0DBD1 | #E0D9CC |
| Undertone | Warm Swirl Cream | Warm Putty Beige |
| Family | Off-White | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Swirl has warm swirl cream undertones. A warm, swirling off-white with beige undertones. Named for the gentle motion of cream in coffee. Organic and inviting.
Woodrow Wilson Putty has warm putty beige undertones. A warm, putty-colored off-white from Valspar's Heritage collection. More depth than a typical off-white, with a warm beige undertone that gives rooms an earthy, historic quality.
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. Swirl's warm swirl cream quality may read differently than Woodrow Wilson Putty's warm putty beige 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
Swirl in Your Room
Warm and gentle. In bright rooms, a warm off-white. In dim rooms, cozy warmth.
Woodrow Wilson Putty in Your Room
Reads as a warm, rich off-white in most rooms. The putty quality is subtle but gives it more character than a plain white. In bright light, it opens up. In dim rooms, the warm depth is comforting.
LRV and Brightness
Swirl has an LRV of 73, while Woodrow Wilson Putty has an LRV of 72. 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 Swirl
PPG recommends Swirl for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom. With an LRV of 73, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Woodrow Wilson Putty is recommended for: whole house, hallway, living room, bedroom, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Woodrow Wilson Putty in the same rooms you planned for Swirl.
Swirl in Other Brands
Looking for Swirl equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Swirl (PPG1022-2) is Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Woodrow Wilson Putty 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. Swirl is a PPG color with warm swirl cream undertones and an LRV of 73. Woodrow Wilson Putty is a Valspar color with warm putty beige undertones and an LRV of 72. 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.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.