Cracked Pepper PPU18-01 is a gray paint color from Behr. It has a hex value of #4F5152, estimated LRV 8 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Cavernous from Dunn-Edwards (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Behr · #4F5152 · PPU18-01
Cracked Pepper
8%Estimated LRV
NeutralUndertone
More about Cracked Pepper
Cracked Pepper is Behr's soft black — a 2022 Color of the Year that reads as a deep, slightly warm near-black at LRV 8 rather than a flat true black. It's the accessible choice for doors, accent walls, and cabinetry at Home Depot, with enough softness to feel modern rather than severe.
Like any near-black it needs light to show its character and will read essentially black in shadow. It pairs well with warm whites, wood, and brass. Its closest cross-brand match is Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart, with Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn in the same family.
Cracked Pepper Technical Profile
HEX Code#4F5152
RGB79, 81, 82
Estimated LRV8.2
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
Test it in your room
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 Cracked Pepper
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Cavernous
Dunn-Edwards
#515252
Close digital match
Cheating Heart
Benjamin Moore
#4C4E50
Close digital match
Dark and Stormy
Dutch Boy
#535556
Close digital match
Hopper Head
Farrow & Ball
#505456
Close digital match
Grey Metal
PPG
#515051
Close digital match
Motor Gray
Kilz
#545658
Close digital match
Chimney Smoke
Valspar
#4D5256
Similar digital color
Blue Grey
RAL
#474B4E
Similar digital color
Metal .05
Colorhouse
#535654
Similar digital color
Peppercorn
Sherwin-Williams
#585858
Similar digital color
Midnight Magic
Hirshfield's
#46474A
Similar digital color
Midnight Magic
Vista Paint
#46474A
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 Cracked Pepper
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
Cracked Pepper
#4F5152
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#555C7F
Trim & Molding
Digital white
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Cracked Pepper
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Cracked Pepper 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 Cracked Pepper.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Cracked Pepper — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Cracked Pepper have?
Cracked Pepper 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 Cracked Pepper from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Cracked Pepper are Cavernous by Dunn-Edwards (a close digital match), Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore (a close digital match), Nightfall by Benjamin Moore (a close digital match) — the best options for getting Cracked Pepper'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 Cracked Pepper?
Cracked Pepper has a estimated lightness value of 8.2, 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.
Explore More with Cracked Pepper
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 Cracked Pepper's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.