Porpoise → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Porpoise (SW 7047), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Porpoise
If you love Sherwin Williams Porpoise 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.
Porpoise (SW 7047) is a dark brown with warm dark brown undertones. A warm, dark brown with taupe undertones. Named for the marine mammal. Between Urbane Bronze and Mink in character. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 12) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Porpoise 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 Timber Dust (VR078D) with a Delta E of 3.2, which is a "good match" level match. Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. 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 Porpoise
Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Porpoise | Timber Dust | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 12 | 20 |
| Hex | #756C63 | #958D83 |
| Undertone | Warm Dark Brown | Warm Timber Brown |
| Family | Brown | Brown |
Undertone Comparison
Porpoise has warm dark brown undertones. A warm, dark brown with taupe undertones. Named for the marine mammal. Between Urbane Bronze and Mink in character.
Timber Dust has warm timber brown undertones. A warm, woody brown with sawdust quality. Darker than Frappe, lighter than London Coach. Organic and crafted.
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
Porpoise in Your Room
In bright light, the warm brown is rich. In dim rooms, a warm near-black. Earthy and grounding.
Timber Dust in Your Room
Warm and woody. In bright rooms, the brown is visible. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Porpoise has an LRV of 12, while Timber Dust has an LRV of 20. That means Timber Dust reflects more light. If you switch from Porpoise to Timber Dust, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Porpoise
Sherwin Williams recommends Porpoise for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets, office. With an LRV of 12, 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.
Timber Dust is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, cabinets. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Timber Dust in the same rooms you planned for Porpoise.
Porpoise in Other Brands
Looking for Porpoise equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Porpoise (SW 7047) is Timber Dust (VR078D) with a Delta E of 3.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option at LRV 20. 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. Porpoise is a Sherwin Williams color with warm dark brown undertones and an LRV of 12. Timber Dust is a Valspar color with warm timber brown undertones and an LRV of 20. With a Delta E of 3.2, 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 3.2, 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.