Carbon Copy is a true neutral — the rare paint color that doesn't push warm or cool, which makes it forgiving across mixed-lighting rooms and existing palettes. At LRV 9 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it only if you specifically want a clear warm or cool bias — a true neutral stays intentionally undecided, which is the whole point.
Ref. #545554 · PPU25-01
Carbon Copy
9%LRV Value
Carbon Copy Technical Profile
What color is Behr Carbon Copy (PPU25-01)? It's a dark neutral gray — hex #545554, LRV 9. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Carbon Copy is Dunn-Edwards Cavernous — a near-identical match on the wall, with Dutch Boy Dark and Stormy and Dutch Boy Seal of Grey also close. With an LRV of 9, Carbon Copy creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Carbon Copy is a true neutral — pair with any wood, any metal, any trim color. Off-white trim works in most homes; brushed nickel or matte black hardware both read well across spaces. As a deeper neutral, Carbon Copy reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. True neutrals read consistently across lighting conditions, which is why they're popular base colors. They inherit a faint warm cast under 2700K and a cool cast under 4000K, but never dramatically. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Carbon Copy in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Carbon Copy
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Carbon Copy
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Carbon Copy
#545554
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#58846E
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Carbon Copy
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Carbon Copy Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Behr Colors
Other Behr colors close to Carbon Copy.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Carbon Copy — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Carbon Copy from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Carbon Copy are Cavernous by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Dark and Stormy by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match), Seal of Grey by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Carbon Copy's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Carbon Copy?
Carbon Copy has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 9.0, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Carbon Copy
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Carbon Copy depends on the room. Here's how to choose.