Woodsmoke → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Valspar Woodsmoke (VR078C), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Woodsmoke
If you love Valspar Woodsmoke but need a Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Woodsmoke (VR078C) is a dark gray with warm smoky charcoal undertones. A warm, smoky charcoal. The color of wood smoke. Darker than Tempered Gray, with a warm, organic quality. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 12) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Woodsmoke and every Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore option is Evening Dove (2128-30) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Evening Dove is greener. Woodsmoke is browner. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Woodsmoke
Evening Dove is greener. Woodsmoke is browner.
| Woodsmoke | Evening Dove | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 12 | 10.55 |
| Hex | #716F6B | #64645F |
| Undertone | Warm Smoky Charcoal | Warm Dark Green-Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Woodsmoke has warm smoky charcoal undertones. A warm, smoky charcoal. The color of wood smoke. Darker than Tempered Gray, with a warm, organic quality.
Evening Dove has warm dark green-gray undertones. A dark, warm gray with green undertones. Named for the dove at dusk. Softer than Wrought Iron, more complex than a flat charcoal.
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. Woodsmoke's warm smoky charcoal quality may read differently than Evening Dove's warm dark green-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
Woodsmoke in Your Room
Warm and smoky. In bright rooms, the warm brown-charcoal shows. In dim rooms, approaches a warm near-black.
Evening Dove in Your Room
In bright light, the green lean shows subtly. In dim rooms, a warm near-black. Rich and nuanced.
LRV and Brightness
Woodsmoke has an LRV of 12, while Evening Dove has an LRV of 10.55. 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 Woodsmoke
Valspar recommends Woodsmoke for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets, office. With an LRV of 12, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Evening Dove is recommended for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, cabinets. 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.
Woodsmoke in Other Brands
Looking for Woodsmoke equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Woodsmoke (VR078C) is Evening Dove (2128-30) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Evening Dove is greener. Woodsmoke is browner. 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. Woodsmoke is a Valspar color with warm smoky charcoal undertones and an LRV of 12. Evening Dove is a Benjamin Moore color with warm dark green-gray undertones and an LRV of 10.55. With a Delta E of 4, 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 4, 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 Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore 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.