Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Big Chill

If you love Sherwin Williams Big Chill 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.

Big Chill (SW 7648) is a light gray with cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Minimal undertone. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 62) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Big Chill 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 Big Chill. Hazy Stratus (VR084D) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Hazy Stratus is the closest Valspar option at LRV 62. Very close match.

Valspar Matches for Big Chill

Hazy Stratus VR084D
Excellent match · ΔE 2

Hazy Stratus is the closest Valspar option at LRV 62. Very close match.

Big ChillHazy Stratus
LRV6262
Hex#D3D3D0#D3D1CC
UndertoneCool Light GrayCool Light Gray
FamilyGrayGray

Undertone Comparison

Big Chill has cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. Minimal undertone.

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

Big Chill in Your Room

Clean and modern. A reliable cool light gray.

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

Big Chill has an LRV of 62, while Hazy Stratus has an LRV of 62. 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 Big Chill

Sherwin Williams recommends Big Chill for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, office, living room. With an LRV of 62, 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.

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 Big Chill.

Big Chill in Other Brands

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Valspar match for Big Chill (SW 7648) is Hazy Stratus (VR084D) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Hazy Stratus is the closest Valspar option at LRV 62. 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. Big Chill is a Sherwin Williams color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 62. Hazy Stratus is a Valspar color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 62. 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.

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.