Thunderous → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Thunderous (SW 6201), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Thunderous
If you love Sherwin Williams Thunderous 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.
Thunderous (SW 6201) is a dark blue with deep stormy teal undertones. A deep, stormy teal-blue. Darker than Foggy Day, more blue-green than Naval. The color of the ocean during a thunderstorm. Dramatic, moody, and deeply atmospheric. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 8) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Thunderous 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 London Coach (VR078B) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. London Coach is the closest Valspar option at LRV 5. 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 Thunderous
London Coach is the closest Valspar option at LRV 5. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Thunderous | London Coach | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 8 | 5 |
| Hex | #526165 | #343C48 |
| Undertone | Deep Stormy Teal | Deep Blue-Gray |
| Family | Blue | Navy |
Undertone Comparison
Thunderous has deep stormy teal undertones. A deep, stormy teal-blue. Darker than Foggy Day, more blue-green than Naval. The color of the ocean during a thunderstorm. Dramatic, moody, and deeply atmospheric.
London Coach has deep blue-gray undertones. A deep, distinguished navy-gray. Named for the classic London coach, it carries the same sense of refined tradition. More gray than a true navy, less stark than black. Dignified and timeless.
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. Thunderous's deep stormy teal quality may read differently than London Coach's deep blue-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
Thunderous in Your Room
In bright light, the teal character is striking. In dim rooms, it approaches black with blue-green depth. Dramatic and commanding.
London Coach in Your Room
In bright light, the blue character shows through. In dim rooms, it approaches a sophisticated near-black. Under warm light, the gray softens it. A versatile dark accent color.
LRV and Brightness
Thunderous has an LRV of 8, while London Coach has an LRV of 5. 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 Thunderous
Sherwin Williams recommends Thunderous for: accent wall, powder room, front door, dining room, office. With an LRV of 8, 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.
London Coach is recommended for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, powder room. 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.
Thunderous in Other Brands
Looking for Thunderous equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Thunderous (SW 6201) is London Coach (VR078B) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. London Coach is the closest Valspar option at LRV 5. 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. Thunderous is a Sherwin Williams color with deep stormy teal undertones and an LRV of 8. London Coach is a Valspar color with deep blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 5. 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.