Tricorn Black → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black (SW 6258), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Tricorn Black
If you love Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black 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.
Tricorn Black (SW 6258) is a dark black with true neutral black undertones. About as close to a true, pure black as Sherwin Williams offers. No visible blue, brown, or green undertone. Just black. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 3) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Tricorn Black 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 3.8, 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 Tricorn Black
London Coach is the closest Valspar option at LRV 5. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Tricorn Black | London Coach | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 3 | 5 |
| Hex | #2F2F2F | #343C48 |
| Undertone | True Neutral Black | Deep Blue-Gray |
| Family | Black | Navy |
Undertone Comparison
Tricorn Black has true neutral black undertones. About as close to a true, pure black as Sherwin Williams offers. No visible blue, brown, or green undertone. Just black.
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. Tricorn Black's true neutral black 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
Tricorn Black in Your Room
Reads as a true black in all conditions. In very bright direct light, you might detect the faintest warm lean, but functionally this is a neutral black.
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
Tricorn Black has an LRV of 3, 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 Tricorn Black
Sherwin Williams recommends Tricorn Black for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, statement furniture. With an LRV of 3, 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. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use London Coach in the same rooms you planned for Tricorn Black.
Tricorn Black in Other Brands
Looking for Tricorn Black equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Tricorn Black (SW 6258) is London Coach (VR078B) with a Delta E of 3.8, 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. Tricorn Black is a Sherwin Williams color with true neutral black undertones and an LRV of 3. London Coach is a Valspar color with deep blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 5. With a Delta E of 3.8, 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 3.8, 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.