Worldly Gray → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray (SW 7043), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Worldly Gray
If you love Sherwin Williams Worldly 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.
Worldly Gray (SW 7043) is a medium greige with warm greige undertones. A medium greige that's slightly darker and warmer than Agreeable Gray. More presence on the wall while maintaining that versatile warm-neutral quality. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 57) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Worldly 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 Filtered Shade (VR083E) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Filtered Shade is the closest Valspar option at LRV 57. 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 Worldly Gray
Filtered Shade is the closest Valspar option at LRV 57. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Worldly Gray | Filtered Shade | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 57 | 57 |
| Hex | #CCC6BC | #CCC8C1 |
| Undertone | Warm Greige | Warm Light Greige |
| Family | Greige | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Worldly Gray has warm greige undertones. A medium greige that's slightly darker and warmer than Agreeable Gray. More presence on the wall while maintaining that versatile warm-neutral quality.
Filtered Shade has warm light greige undertones. A light, warm gray with subtle greige undertones. Lighter and airier than Gravity, with just enough warmth to avoid feeling cold. A versatile neutral that works as either a warm gray or a light greige.
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
Worldly Gray in Your Room
Reads as a warm gray-beige in most rooms. The warmth is consistent across lighting conditions. A step up from Agreeable Gray if you want more depth.
Filtered Shade in Your Room
Reads as a light, warm gray in most conditions. The greige undertone is gentle and never heavy. In bright rooms, it looks open and fresh. Under warm light, the beige comes forward slightly.
LRV and Brightness
Worldly Gray has an LRV of 57, while Filtered Shade has an LRV of 57. 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 Worldly Gray
Sherwin Williams recommends Worldly Gray for: living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room, office. With an LRV of 57, 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.
Filtered Shade is recommended for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, bathroom. 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.
Worldly Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Worldly Gray equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Worldly Gray (SW 7043) is Filtered Shade (VR083E) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Filtered Shade is the closest Valspar option at LRV 57. 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. Worldly Gray is a Sherwin Williams color with warm greige undertones and an LRV of 57. Filtered Shade is a Valspar color with warm light greige undertones and an LRV of 57. With a Delta E of 3.5, 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 3.5, 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.