Woodrow Wilson Putty → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Valspar Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Woodrow Wilson Putty
If you love Valspar Woodrow Wilson Putty but need a Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C) is a light off-white with warm putty beige undertones. A warm, putty-colored off-white from Valspar's Heritage collection. More depth than a typical off-white, with a warm beige undertone that gives rooms an earthy, historic quality. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 72) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Woodrow Wilson Putty and every Sherwin Williams 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 Sherwin Williams option is Shoji White (SW 7042) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Shoji White is close. Both are warm off-whites with more body than a typical white. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Woodrow Wilson Putty
Shoji White is close. Both are warm off-whites with more body than a typical white.
| Woodrow Wilson Putty | Shoji White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 72 | 74 |
| Hex | #E0D9CC | #DED9CF |
| Undertone | Warm Putty Beige | Warm Greige-White |
| Family | Off-White | White |
Undertone Comparison
Woodrow Wilson Putty has warm putty beige undertones. A warm, putty-colored off-white from Valspar's Heritage collection. More depth than a typical off-white, with a warm beige undertone that gives rooms an earthy, historic quality.
Shoji White has warm greige-white undertones. A warm off-white with greige undertones. More warm depth than Pure White. A sophisticated warm neutral.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Woodrow Wilson Putty in Your Room
Reads as a warm, rich off-white in most rooms. The putty quality is subtle but gives it more character than a plain white. In bright light, it opens up. In dim rooms, the warm depth is comforting.
Shoji White in Your Room
Reads as a warm off-white with just a whisper of greige. Universally flattering.
LRV and Brightness
Woodrow Wilson Putty has an LRV of 72, while Shoji White has an LRV of 74. 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 Woodrow Wilson Putty
Valspar recommends Woodrow Wilson Putty for: whole house, hallway, living room, bedroom, dining room. With an LRV of 72, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Shoji White is recommended for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, bathroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Shoji White in the same rooms you planned for Woodrow Wilson Putty.
Woodrow Wilson Putty in Other Brands
Looking for Woodrow Wilson Putty equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Woodrow Wilson Putty (VR086C) is Shoji White (SW 7042) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Shoji White is close. Both are warm off-whites with more body than a typical white. 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. Woodrow Wilson Putty is a Valspar color with warm putty beige undertones and an LRV of 72. Shoji White is a Sherwin Williams color with warm greige-white undertones and an LRV of 74. 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 Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams 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.