Magic Spell → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Valspar Magic Spell (VR092C), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Magic Spell
If you love Valspar Magic Spell but need a Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Magic Spell (VR092C) is a medium gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. Valspar's answer to the clean, modern gray trend. Minimal undertone pull means it stays gray in virtually all conditions. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 48) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Magic Spell and every Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams option is Passive (SW 7064) with a Delta E of 3, which is a "good match" level match. Passive is very close. Both are clean, neutral grays. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Magic Spell
Passive is very close. Both are clean, neutral grays.
| Magic Spell | Passive | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 48 | 60 |
| Hex | #C0BEBA | #CBCBC8 |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Magic Spell has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning mid-tone gray. Valspar's answer to the clean, modern gray trend. Minimal undertone pull means it stays gray in virtually all conditions.
Passive has cool neutral gray undertones. A balanced, cool-leaning gray with minimal undertone. One of SW's most truly neutral grays. Less warm than Repose, less cool than some blue-grays.
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
Magic Spell in Your Room
Clean and neutral. One of the most dependable grays in the Valspar range. Does not pull pink, green, or purple. Under warm light, it reads as a balanced gray. Under cool light, it stays clean.
Passive in Your Room
Reads as a clean, balanced gray in most rooms. In warm light, it stays neutral without pulling warm. In cool light, it can feel slightly cool. Very versatile.
LRV and Brightness
Magic Spell has an LRV of 48, while Passive has an LRV of 60. That means Passive reflects more light. If you switch from Magic Spell to Passive, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Magic Spell
Valspar recommends Magic Spell for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, living room. With an LRV of 48, this is a medium color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Passive is recommended for: living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, office. 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.
Magic Spell in Other Brands
Looking for Magic Spell equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Magic Spell (VR092C) is Passive (SW 7064) with a Delta E of 3, which rates as a "good match" match. Passive is very close. Both are clean, neutral grays. 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. Magic Spell is a Valspar color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 48. Passive is a Sherwin Williams color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 60. With a Delta E of 3, 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, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams 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.