Popular Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Popular Gray (SW 6071), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Popular Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Popular 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.
Popular Gray (SW 6071) is a medium greige with warm light greige undertones. As its name suggests, one of SW's most requested colors. A light warm greige that works in virtually any space. Crowd-pleasing and versatile. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 58) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Popular 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 Stone Mason Gray (VR082H) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Stone Mason Gray is close. Both are warm, mid-tone greiges. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Popular Gray
Stone Mason Gray is close. Both are warm, mid-tone greiges.
| Popular Gray | Stone Mason Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 58 | 50 |
| Hex | #D0C9BE | #C5BFB5 |
| Undertone | Warm Light Greige | Warm Stone Greige |
| Family | Greige | Greige |
Undertone Comparison
Popular Gray has warm light greige undertones. As its name suggests, one of SW's most requested colors. A light warm greige that works in virtually any space. Crowd-pleasing and versatile.
Stone Mason Gray has warm stone greige undertones. A warm greige with a natural stone quality. Deeper than Coastal Villa, lighter than Woodlawn Colonial Gray. Organic and earthy with enough gray to avoid reading as beige.
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
Popular Gray in Your Room
Warm and universally flattering. Reads as a warm, light neutral in all conditions.
Stone Mason Gray in Your Room
The stone quality is consistent and natural. In bright rooms, the gray component keeps it modern. In warm light, the earthy warmth emerges. A well-balanced neutral for any room.
LRV and Brightness
Popular Gray has an LRV of 58, while Stone Mason Gray has an LRV of 50. That means Popular Gray reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Popular Gray will make the space feel brighter and more open than Stone Mason Gray. If you are switching to the Valspar option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Popular Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Popular Gray for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room. With an LRV of 58, this is a medium 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.
Stone Mason Gray is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room, whole house. 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.
Popular Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Popular Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Popular Gray (SW 6071) is Stone Mason Gray (VR082H) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Stone Mason Gray is close. Both are warm, mid-tone greiges. 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. Popular Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm light greige undertones and an LRV of 58. Stone Mason Gray is a Valspar color with warm stone greige undertones and an LRV of 50. With a Delta E of 4, 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 4, 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.