Argos → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Argos (SW 7065), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Argos
If you love Sherwin Williams Argos 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 Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Argos (SW 7065) is a medium gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Named for the ancient Greek city. One of SW's most reliably neutral grays. It just looks like gray, period. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 54) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Argos 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 Hazy Stratus (VR080D) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Hazy Stratus is a good match. Both are clean medium-light grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Argos
Hazy Stratus is a good match. Both are clean medium-light grays.
| Argos | Hazy Stratus | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 54 | 62 |
| Hex | #C8C6C2 | #D3D1CC |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Cool Light Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Argos has cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Named for the ancient Greek city. One of SW's most reliably neutral grays. It just looks like gray, period.
Hazy Stratus has cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray with minimal undertone. Reads as a modern, balanced gray without strong color pulls. Valspar's answer to the popular light gray trend.
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
Argos in Your Room
Neutral in all conditions. Does not pull warm, cool, pink, green, or purple. Under warm light it stays gray. Under cool light it stays gray. The most boring answer is sometimes the right one.
Hazy Stratus in Your Room
Stays neutral in most conditions. In bright rooms, it reads as a clean, modern light gray. In dim rooms, it adds soft depth without feeling cold. Does not pull pink, green, or purple like many grays.
LRV and Brightness
Argos has an LRV of 54, while Hazy Stratus has an LRV of 62. That means Hazy Stratus reflects more light. If you switch from Argos to Hazy Stratus, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Argos
Sherwin Williams recommends Argos for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. With an LRV of 54, this is a medium 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.
Hazy Stratus is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, living room, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Hazy Stratus in the same rooms you planned for Argos.
Argos in Other Brands
Looking for Argos equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Argos (SW 7065) is Hazy Stratus (VR080D) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Hazy Stratus is a good match. Both are clean medium-light 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. Argos is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 54. Hazy Stratus is a Valspar color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 62. With a Delta E of 3.4, 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 3.4, 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.