Modern Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Modern Gray (SW 7632), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Modern Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Modern 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.
Modern Gray (SW 7632) is a light greige with light warm greige undertones. A light greige with gentle warm undertones. More depth than Incredible White, less color than Agreeable Gray. 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 Modern 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Valspar option is Hazy Stratus (VR084D) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Hazy Stratus is the closest Valspar option at LRV 62. 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 Modern Gray
Hazy Stratus is the closest Valspar option at LRV 62. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Modern Gray | Hazy Stratus | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 62 | 62 |
| Hex | #D4D0C8 | #D3D1CC |
| Undertone | Light Warm Greige | Cool Light Gray |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Modern Gray has light warm greige undertones. A light greige with gentle warm undertones. More depth than Incredible White, less color than Agreeable Gray.
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.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Modern Gray's light warm greige quality may read differently than Hazy Stratus's cool light gray character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Modern Gray in Your Room
Reads as a very light warm neutral. Enough gray to add sophistication, enough warmth to feel inviting.
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
Modern Gray 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 Modern Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Modern Gray for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, bathroom. 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. 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.
Modern Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Modern Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Modern Gray (SW 7632) is Hazy Stratus (VR084D) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Hazy Stratus is the closest Valspar option at LRV 62. 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. Modern Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with light warm greige 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 3.5, 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 3.5, 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.