Cold Steel MQ5-20 is a gray paint color from Behr. It has a hex value of #7D8C96, estimated LRV 25 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Night Sky Grey from PPG (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Behr · #7D8C96 · MQ5-20
Cold Steel
25%Estimated LRV
NeutralUndertone
Cold Steel Technical Profile
HEX Code#7D8C96
RGB125, 140, 150
Estimated LRV25.3
UndertoneNeutral
Digital swatches and calculated matches are approximations. Catalog LRV values may be calculated estimates, not manufacturer measurements. Data and matching method. Check the brand reference and physical samples before purchase.
Color Familygray
BrandBehr
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Place physical samples beside your flooring and trim. Check them in daylight and with your evening lights before buying paint.
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Compare alternatives to Cold Steel
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Night Sky Grey
PPG
#7D8A96
Close digital match
Porpoise Gray
Kilz
#788791
Close digital match
Mineral Alloy
Benjamin Moore
#82919C
Close digital match
Selvedge
Farrow & Ball
#7C8E96
Close digital match
Cornflower Blue
Valspar
#768793
Similar digital color
Bracing Blue
Sherwin-Williams
#768B9A
Similar digital color
Mirador
Vista Paint
#748490
Similar digital color
Squirrel Grey
RAL
#78858B
Similar digital color
Blue Laguna
Dutch Boy
#8095A0
Similar digital color
China Clay
Dunn-Edwards
#718B9A
Similar digital color
London Road
Hirshfield's
#7F878A
Similar digital color
Water .05
Colorhouse
#82979D
Similar digital color
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With Cold Steel
These are generated digital colors, not named manufacturer paints. Use the palette tools to find paint candidates, then compare physical samples.
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Cold Steel
#7D8C96
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8589AD
Trim & Molding
Digital white
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Cold Steel
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Cold Steel 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 Cold Steel.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Cold Steel — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Cold Steel have?
Cold Steel by Behr has a neutral undertone and sits in the gray color family. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match Cold Steel from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Cold Steel are Night Sky Grey by PPG (a close digital match), Porpoise Gray by Kilz (a close digital match), Mineral Alloy by Benjamin Moore (a close digital match) — the best options for getting Cold Steel's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Cold Steel?
Cold Steel has a estimated lightness value of 25.3, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural light.
Explore More with Cold Steel
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.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Cold Steel's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.