Dovetail → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Dovetail (SW 7018), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Dovetail
If you love Sherwin Williams Dovetail 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.
Dovetail (SW 7018) is a medium-dark gray with warm gray undertones. A warm, medium-dark gray with subtle beige undertones. Named for the woodworking joint, it carries a crafted, artisanal quality. 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 Dovetail 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 Tempered Gray (VR082I) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Tempered Gray is close in depth and warmth. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Dovetail
Tempered Gray is close in depth and warmth.
| Dovetail | Tempered Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 26 | 35 |
| Hex | #9D9A94 | #ADAAA5 |
| Undertone | Warm Gray | Warm Mid-Tone Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Dovetail has warm gray undertones. A warm, medium-dark gray with subtle beige undertones. Named for the woodworking joint, it carries a crafted, artisanal quality.
Tempered Gray has warm mid-tone gray undertones. A warm, substantial mid-tone gray. More depth than Filtered Shade, warmer than a true gray. Grounding and sophisticated without being dark. Good on accent walls and in rooms with plenty of natural light.
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
Dovetail in Your Room
Warm and substantial. Reads as a warm medium-dark gray in most conditions.
Tempered Gray in Your Room
The warmth is reliable across lighting conditions. In bright rooms, it reads as a warm, modern gray. In dim rooms, it deepens into a rich neutral. A solid workhorse gray for Valspar loyalists.
LRV and Brightness
Dovetail has an LRV of 26, while Tempered Gray has an LRV of 35. That means Tempered Gray reflects more light. If you switch from Dovetail to Tempered Gray, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Dovetail
Sherwin Williams recommends Dovetail for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, office, dining room. 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.
Tempered Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, office, accent wall, dining room. 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.
Dovetail in Other Brands
Looking for Dovetail equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Dovetail (SW 7018) is Tempered Gray (VR082I) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Tempered Gray is close in depth and warmth. 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. Dovetail is a Sherwin Williams color with warm gray undertones and an LRV of 26. Tempered Gray is a Valspar color with warm mid-tone gray undertones and an LRV of 35. With a Delta E of 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 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.