Color spec
| Brand | Valspar |
| Name | Kernel of Truth |
| SKU | V015-3 |
| Hex | #FFA901 |
| RGB | 255, 169, 1 |
| HSL | 40°, 100%, 50% |
| LRV | 51.8 |
| Undertone | warm red-orange tone |
| Family | Yellow |
About Valspar Kernel of Truth
At LRV 51.8, Kernel of Truth is a light color that bounces daylight around a room without tipping into stark white. 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. It holds its undertone in most exposures, which is what makes light shades like this so forgiving room to room.
Kernel of Truth is an easy whole-room color for living spaces and bedrooms, and light enough to carry onto trim or a ceiling if you want a soft, seamless look. Yellows lift kitchens, hallways and kids' rooms with warmth.
Closest matches by brand
10 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 yellow from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Benjamin Moore
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Kompozit
Similar Valspar colors
closest in the Valspar deckThe nearest shades to Kernel of Truth 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 #FFA901 in HSL space. Pair Kernel of Truth 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 Kernel of Truth Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Kernel of Truth 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 V015-3 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Kernel of Truth is Gusto Gold (SW 6904) — very close at ΔE 2.11, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 50 vs 51.8) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Gusto Gold swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
The closest Behr equivalent of Kernel of Truth is Sun Ray (S-G-340). At ΔE 0.03 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and runs slightly darker (LRV 50 vs 51.8). If Behr is your counter, order Sun Ray and you'll get the same color. See the full Sun Ray swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
The closest Benjamin Moore equivalent of Kernel of Truth is Mandarin Orange (2018-20). At ΔE 0.82 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and runs slightly darker (LRV 46 vs 51.8). If Benjamin Moore is your counter, order Mandarin Orange and you'll get the same color. See the full Mandarin Orange swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
Glidden has no exact twin of Kernel of Truth. The nearest is Marigold Petals (05YY 42/727) at ΔE 3.81 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs noticeably darker (LRV 42 vs 51.8). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Marigold Petals swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Kernel of Truth is Ambered Honey (113-7DB) — very close at ΔE 2.11, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 50 vs 51.8) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Ambered Honey swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams has no exact twin of Kernel of Truth. The nearest is Summer Sunflower (HGSW 1162) at ΔE 4.75 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly darker (LRV 50 vs 51.8). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Summer Sunflower swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
The closest Dunn-Edwards equivalent of Kernel of Truth is Flash of Orange (DEA116). At ΔE 0.38 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and runs slightly darker (LRV 48 vs 51.8). If Dunn-Edwards is your counter, order Flash of Orange and you'll get the same color. See the full Flash of Orange swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
Diamond Vogel's nearest match is I Love To Boogie (0956), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.27). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 51 vs 51.8) and carries a warm red-orange undertone, so it substitutes for Kernel of Truth without repainting risk. See the full I Love To Boogie swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
The closest Hirshfield's equivalent of Kernel of Truth is I Love To Boogie (0956). At ΔE 0.83 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and runs slightly darker (LRV 48 vs 51.8). If Hirshfield's is your counter, order I Love To Boogie and you'll get the same color. See the full I Love To Boogie swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Kernel of Truth
The closest Kompozit equivalent of Kernel of Truth is I Love To Boogie (0956). At ΔE 0.83 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red-orange undertone and runs slightly darker (LRV 50 vs 51.8). If Kompozit is your counter, order I Love To Boogie and you'll get the same color. See the full I Love To Boogie swatch →