Color spec
| Brand | Valspar |
| Name | Diplomatic |
| SKU | M125 |
| Hex | #DCB490 |
| RGB | 220, 180, 144 |
| HSL | 28°, 52%, 71% |
| LRV | 49.7 |
| Undertone | warm red-orange tone |
| Family | Orange |
About Valspar Diplomatic
Diplomatic sits in the mid-range at LRV 49.7, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its orange undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Diplomatic is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Earthy oranges and terracottas warm up dining rooms and entries.
Closest matches by brand
14 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 orange from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Benjamin Moore
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
C2 Paint
Kompozit
Similar Valspar colors
closest in the Valspar deckThe nearest shades to Diplomatic 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 #DCB490 in HSL space. Pair Diplomatic 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 Diplomatic Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Diplomatic 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 M125 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Diplomatic
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Diplomatic is Soft Apricot (SW 6352) — very close at ΔE 2.2, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 50 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Soft Apricot swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Diplomatic
Behr's nearest match is Creme De Caramel (HDC-NT-04), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.87). It runs slightly darker (LRV 48 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Diplomatic without repainting risk. See the full Creme De Caramel swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Diplomatic
Benjamin Moore's nearest match is Natural Leather (CSP-1065), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.67). It runs slightly darker (LRV 48 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Diplomatic without repainting risk. See the full Natural Leather swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Diplomatic
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Diplomatic is Nutmeg Glow (PPG1080-3) — very close at ΔE 2.5, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 50 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Nutmeg Glow swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Diplomatic
At Glidden, the closest color to Diplomatic is Nutmeg Glow (PPG1080-3) — very close at ΔE 2.17, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 50 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Nutmeg Glow swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Diplomatic
The closest Dutch Boy equivalent of Diplomatic is Vanilla Crème (314-3DB). At ΔE 0.45 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 49.7). If Dutch Boy is your counter, order Vanilla Crème and you'll get the same color. See the full Vanilla Crème swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Diplomatic
At HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Diplomatic is Tinted Apricot (HGSW 2106) — very close at ΔE 2.2, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 50 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Tinted Apricot swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Diplomatic
Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Oakley Apricot (DET445), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.57). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 50 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Diplomatic without repainting risk. See the full Oakley Apricot swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Diplomatic
At Farrow & Ball, the closest color to Diplomatic is Mortar Pink (NO. G13) — very close at ΔE 2.22, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 50 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Mortar Pink swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Diplomatic
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Diplomatic is Bedtime Story (1009) — very close at ΔE 2.24, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 51 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Bedtime Story swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Diplomatic
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Diplomatic. The nearest is Bedtime Story (1009) at ΔE 3.55 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 49.7). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Bedtime Story swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Diplomatic
At Rodda, the closest color to Diplomatic is Beeswax (CA125) — very close at ΔE 2.77, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 49.7) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Beeswax swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Diplomatic
Kompozit has no exact twin of Diplomatic. The nearest is Bedtime Story (1009) at ΔE 3.55 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 49 vs 49.7). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Bedtime Story swatch →