Drift of Mist → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist (SW 9166), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Drift of Mist
If you love Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist 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.
Drift of Mist (SW 9166) is a light white with warm misty white undertones. A warm off-white with gentle greige undertones. Airy and soft. 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 Drift of Mist 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 Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Woodrow Wilson Putty is the closest Valspar option at LRV 72. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Drift of Mist
Woodrow Wilson Putty is the closest Valspar option at LRV 72. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Drift of Mist | Woodrow Wilson Putty | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 73 | 72 |
| Hex | #DEDBD3 | #E0D9CC |
| Undertone | Warm Misty White | Warm Putty Beige |
| Family | White | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Drift of Mist has warm misty white undertones. A warm off-white with gentle greige undertones. Airy and soft.
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.
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
Drift of Mist in Your Room
Light and airy. Reads as a warm off-white with barely-there greige.
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
Drift of Mist 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 Drift of Mist
Sherwin Williams recommends Drift of Mist for: whole house, bedroom, hallway, bathroom, living room. 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 Drift of Mist.
Drift of Mist in Other Brands
Looking for Drift of Mist equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Drift of Mist (SW 9166) is Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Woodrow Wilson Putty is the closest Valspar option at LRV 72. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. 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. Drift of Mist is a Sherwin Williams color with warm misty white 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 3.7, 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 3.7, 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.