Iron Ore → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Iron Ore
If you love Sherwin Williams Iron Ore 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.
Iron Ore (SW 7069) is a dark black with warm brown-black undertones. A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 6) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Iron Ore 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 Woodsmoke (VR081P) with a Delta E of 5.2, which is a "good match" level match. Woodsmoke is darker and cooler. Iron Ore's warmth gives it a more approachable dark neutral quality. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Iron Ore
Woodsmoke is darker and cooler. Iron Ore's warmth gives it a more approachable dark neutral quality.
| Iron Ore | Woodsmoke | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 6 | 12 |
| Hex | #524C47 | #716F6B |
| Undertone | Warm Brown-Black | Warm Smoky Charcoal |
| Family | Black | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Iron Ore has warm brown-black undertones. A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason.
Woodsmoke has warm smoky charcoal undertones. A warm, smoky charcoal. The color of wood smoke. Darker than Tempered Gray, with a warm, organic 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
Iron Ore in Your Room
In bright light, the warm brown undertone is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. Warmer than a true black, which gives it depth.
Woodsmoke in Your Room
Warm and smoky. In bright rooms, the warm brown-charcoal shows. In dim rooms, approaches a warm near-black.
LRV and Brightness
Iron Ore has an LRV of 6, while Woodsmoke has an LRV of 12. That means Woodsmoke reflects more light. If you switch from Iron Ore to Woodsmoke, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Iron Ore
Sherwin Williams recommends Iron Ore for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, cabinets, shutters. With an LRV of 6, 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.
Woodsmoke is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets, 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.
Iron Ore in Other Brands
Looking for Iron Ore equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Iron Ore (SW 7069) is Woodsmoke (VR081P) with a Delta E of 5.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Woodsmoke is darker and cooler. Iron Ore's warmth gives it a more approachable dark neutral quality. 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. Iron Ore is a Sherwin Williams color with warm brown-black undertones and an LRV of 6. Woodsmoke is a Valspar color with warm smoky charcoal undertones and an LRV of 12. With a Delta E of 5.2, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 5.2, 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.