Tempered Gray → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Valspar Tempered Gray (VR082A), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Tempered Gray
If you love Valspar Tempered Gray but need a Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Tempered Gray (VR082A) is a medium-dark gray with warm mid-tone gray undertones. A warm, substantial mid-tone gray. More depth than Filtered Shade, warmer than a true gray. Grounding and sophisticated without being dark. Good on accent walls and in rooms with plenty of natural light. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 35) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Tempered Gray and every Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore option is Rockport Gray (HC-105) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Rockport Gray is the closest BM match. Both are warm medium grays with earthy undertones. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Tempered Gray
Rockport Gray is the closest BM match. Both are warm medium grays with earthy undertones.
| Tempered Gray | Rockport Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 29.77 |
| Hex | #ADAAA5 | #A3A199 |
| Undertone | Warm Mid-Tone Gray | Warm Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Tempered Gray has warm mid-tone gray undertones. A warm, substantial mid-tone gray. More depth than Filtered Shade, warmer than a true gray. Grounding and sophisticated without being dark. Good on accent walls and in rooms with plenty of natural light.
Rockport Gray has warm green-gray undertones. A classic medium gray from the Historical Collection. Warm green undertones give it an organic quality.
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. Tempered Gray's warm mid-tone gray quality may read differently than Rockport Gray's warm green-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
Tempered Gray in Your Room
The warmth is reliable across lighting conditions. In bright rooms, it reads as a warm, modern gray. In dim rooms, it deepens into a rich neutral. A solid workhorse gray for Valspar loyalists.
Rockport Gray in Your Room
The green is subtle. Reads as a warm, solid mid-tone gray in most conditions.
LRV and Brightness
Tempered Gray has an LRV of 35, while Rockport Gray has an LRV of 29.77. That means Tempered Gray reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Tempered Gray will make the space feel brighter and more open than Rockport Gray. If you are switching to the Benjamin Moore option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Tempered Gray
Valspar recommends Tempered Gray for: living room, bedroom, office, accent wall, dining room. With an LRV of 35, this is a medium-dark 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.
Rockport Gray is recommended for: exterior, living room, bedroom, office, accent wall. 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.
Tempered Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Tempered Gray equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Tempered Gray (VR082A) is Rockport Gray (HC-105) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Rockport Gray is the closest BM match. Both are warm medium grays with earthy undertones. 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. Tempered Gray is a Valspar color with warm mid-tone gray undertones and an LRV of 35. Rockport Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with warm green-gray undertones and an LRV of 29.77. 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 Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore 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.