Color spec
| Brand | Valspar |
| Name | Classic Grayscale |
| SKU | V121-2 |
| Hex | #A7A7A2 |
| RGB | 167, 167, 162 |
| HSL | 60°, 3%, 65% |
| LRV | 38.4 |
| Undertone | neutral with no strong undertone |
| Family | Gray |
About Valspar Classic Grayscale
Classic Grayscale sits in the mid-range at LRV 38.4, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Classic Grayscale is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
Closest matches by brand
17 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Benjamin Moore
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Portola Paints
Backdrop
Kompozit
Similar Valspar colors
closest in the Valspar deckThe nearest shades to Classic Grayscale within Valspar's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #A7A7A2 in HSL space. Pair Classic Grayscale with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Valspar Classic Grayscale Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Classic Grayscale from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Valspar V121-2 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
The closest Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Classic Grayscale is Gray Matters (SW 7066). At ΔE 0.83 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4). If Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Gray Matters and you'll get the same color. See the full Gray Matters swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
The closest Behr equivalent of Classic Grayscale is Silver Gray (6694). At ΔE 0.61 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4). If Behr is your counter, order Silver Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Silver Gray swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
The closest Benjamin Moore equivalent of Classic Grayscale is Platinum Gray (HC-179). At ΔE 0.95 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and runs slightly lighter (LRV 40 vs 38.4). If Benjamin Moore is your counter, order Platinum Gray and you'll get the same color. See the full Platinum Gray swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
PPG / Glidden's nearest match is Stepping Stone (PPG1010-4), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.67). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Classic Grayscale without repainting risk. See the full Stepping Stone swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Glidden's nearest match is Statue Garden (PPG0996-3), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.06). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Classic Grayscale without repainting risk. See the full Statue Garden swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Classic Grayscale is Ironed Gray (436-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.35, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38.4) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Ironed Gray swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
The closest HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Classic Grayscale is Essex Grey (HGSW 1485). At ΔE 0.83 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38.4). If HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Essex Grey and you'll get the same color. See the full Essex Grey swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Distant Dusk (DEGR46), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.71). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Classic Grayscale without repainting risk. See the full Distant Dusk swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Magnolia Home's nearest match is Weathered Windmill (JG-15), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.32). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Classic Grayscale without repainting risk. See the full Weathered Windmill swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Classic Grayscale. The nearest is Vitty Green (NO. G3) at ΔE 4.22 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 40 vs 38.4). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Vitty Green swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Diamond Vogel's nearest match is Shark Fin (0574), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.92). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38.4) and carries a warm yellow undertone, so it substitutes for Classic Grayscale without repainting risk. See the full Shark Fin swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Classic Grayscale. The nearest is Silverado Ranch (0421) at ΔE 3.9 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 40 vs 38.4). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Silverado Ranch swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Rodda has no exact twin of Classic Grayscale. The nearest is Artifact (CA074) at ΔE 4.53 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38.4). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Artifact swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
C2 Paint's nearest match is Pavement (C2-988), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.74). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Classic Grayscale without repainting risk. See the full Pavement swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
At Backdrop, the closest color to Classic Grayscale is Nuevo (BD-NU) — very close at ΔE 3.06, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 38.4) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Nuevo swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Classic Grayscale
Kompozit has no exact twin of Classic Grayscale. The nearest is Silverado Ranch (0421) at ΔE 3.9 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 38.4). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Silverado Ranch swatch →