Pewter Tankard → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Pewter Tankard (SW 0023), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Pewter Tankard
If you love Sherwin Williams Pewter Tankard 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.
Pewter Tankard (SW 0023) is a medium-dark gray with warm pewter undertones. A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 39) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pewter Tankard 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 Smoke Infusion (VR083G) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Smoke Infusion is the closest Valspar option at LRV 38. 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 Pewter Tankard
Smoke Infusion is the closest Valspar option at LRV 38. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Pewter Tankard | Smoke Infusion | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 39 | 38 |
| Hex | #B2ACA4 | #B3ADA3 |
| Undertone | Warm Pewter | Warm Smoky Greige |
| Family | Gray | Greige |
Undertone Comparison
Pewter Tankard has warm pewter undertones. A warm medium gray with earthy undertones. More depth than Mindful Gray, with a pewter-like quality that feels natural and grounding.
Smoke Infusion has warm smoky greige undertones. A warm greige with a smoky quality. Deeper than Stone Mason Gray, with rich, layered warmth.
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
Pewter Tankard in Your Room
Reads as a warm, substantial gray in most rooms. The earthy warmth prevents it from feeling cold. Works beautifully with natural materials and warm metals.
Smoke Infusion in Your Room
Warm and smoky. In bright rooms, a warm mid-tone greige. In dim rooms, rich and intimate.
LRV and Brightness
Pewter Tankard has an LRV of 39, while Smoke Infusion has an LRV of 38. 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 Pewter Tankard
Sherwin Williams recommends Pewter Tankard for: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, accent wall. With an LRV of 39, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Smoke Infusion is recommended for: living room, dining room, bedroom, accent wall, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Smoke Infusion in the same rooms you planned for Pewter Tankard.
Pewter Tankard in Other Brands
Looking for Pewter Tankard equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Pewter Tankard (SW 0023) is Smoke Infusion (VR083G) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Smoke Infusion is the closest Valspar option at LRV 38. 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. Pewter Tankard is a Sherwin Williams color with warm pewter undertones and an LRV of 39. Smoke Infusion is a Valspar color with warm smoky greige undertones and an LRV of 38. 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.