Tempered Gray → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Valspar Tempered Gray (VR082A), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Tempered Gray
If you love Valspar Tempered Gray but need a PPG 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 PPG, 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 PPG 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 PPG 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 good news: there is a strong PPG match for Tempered Gray. Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Up In Smoke is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Tempered Gray
Up In Smoke is the closest PPG option. Very close match.
| Tempered Gray | Up In Smoke | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 35 |
| Hex | #ADAAA5 | #ADABA7 |
| Undertone | Warm Mid-Tone Gray | Cool Medium 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.
Up In Smoke has cool medium gray undertones. A cool, clean medium gray. Darker than Cool Concrete, with more presence on the wall. PPG's solid workhorse for rooms that need a definitive gray without warmth or obvious undertones.
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 Up In Smoke's cool medium 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.
Up In Smoke in Your Room
Stays neutral and clean. In bright rooms, it reads as a modern medium gray. In dim rooms, it deepens without pulling warm or cool. Predictable and reliable.
LRV and Brightness
Tempered Gray has an LRV of 35, while Up In Smoke has an LRV of 35. 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 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.
Up In Smoke is recommended for: bathroom, office, hallway, bedroom, living 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.
Tempered Gray in Other Brands
Looking for Tempered Gray equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Tempered Gray (VR082A) is Up In Smoke (PPG0997-4) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Up In Smoke is the closest PPG option. Very close match. 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. Up In Smoke is a PPG color with cool medium gray undertones and an LRV of 35. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. 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 2, 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 PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG 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.