Gauntlet Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Gauntlet Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray 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.
Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019) is a dark gray with warm brown-gray undertones. A dark, warm gray with strong brown undertones. Reads as a masculine, grounding neutral. Popular for exteriors and accent features. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 17) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Gauntlet Gray 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 Gauntlet Gray. Barnwood Gray (VR082H) comes in with a Delta E of 2.5, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Gauntlet Gray
Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Very close match.
| Gauntlet Gray | Barnwood Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 17 | 20 |
| Hex | #8B847B | #94908A |
| Undertone | Warm Brown-Gray | Warm Barnwood |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Gauntlet Gray has warm brown-gray undertones. A dark, warm gray with strong brown undertones. Reads as a masculine, grounding neutral. Popular for exteriors and accent features.
Barnwood Gray has warm barnwood undertones. A warm, dark gray with the weathered quality of old barn wood. Organic and aged. Deeper than Tempered Gray.
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
Gauntlet Gray in Your Room
The brown warmth is consistent across lighting conditions. In bright light, it reads as a warm dark gray. In dim rooms, it approaches a warm charcoal.
Barnwood Gray in Your Room
Warm and weathered. In bright rooms, the warm brown-gray shows. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Gauntlet Gray has an LRV of 17, while Barnwood Gray has an LRV of 20. 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 Gauntlet Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Gauntlet Gray for: exterior, accent wall, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 17, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Barnwood Gray is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, front door, office. 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.
Gauntlet Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Gauntlet Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019) is Barnwood Gray (VR082H) with a Delta E of 2.5, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. 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. Gauntlet Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm brown-gray undertones and an LRV of 17. Barnwood Gray is a Valspar color with warm barnwood undertones and an LRV of 20. With a Delta E of 2.5, 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 2.5, 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.