Network Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Network Gray (SW 7073), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Network Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Network 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.
Network Gray (SW 7073) is a medium-dark gray with warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray. Deeper than Dorian Gray, less dark than Online. Named for the connections it creates between light and dark in a room. A solid, reliable dark neutral. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 22) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Network 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 Network Gray. Barnwood Gray (VR082H) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Network Gray
Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Very close match.
| Network Gray | Barnwood Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 22 | 20 |
| Hex | #94918C | #94908A |
| Undertone | Warm Dark Gray | Warm Barnwood |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Network Gray has warm dark gray undertones. A warm, dark gray. Deeper than Dorian Gray, less dark than Online. Named for the connections it creates between light and dark in a room. A solid, reliable dark neutral.
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.
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. Network Gray's warm dark gray quality may read differently than Barnwood Gray's warm barnwood 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
Network Gray in Your Room
Warm and grounding. In bright rooms, reads as a warm medium-dark gray. In dim rooms, the depth provides drama without oppressiveness.
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
Network Gray has an LRV of 22, 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 Network Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Network Gray for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity. With an LRV of 22, this is a medium-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. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Barnwood Gray in the same rooms you planned for Network Gray.
Network Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Network Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Network Gray (SW 7073) is Barnwood Gray (VR082H) with a Delta E of 2.3, 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. Network Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm dark gray undertones and an LRV of 22. Barnwood Gray is a Valspar color with warm barnwood undertones and an LRV of 20. With a Delta E of 2.3, 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 2.3, 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.