Cracked Pepper PPU18-01 is a gray paint color from Behr. It has a hex value of #4F5152, 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.
Ref. #4F5152 · PPU18-01
Cracked Pepper
8%LRV Value
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
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Cracked Pepper in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Cracked Pepper in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
BehrCracked Pepper
Nearly identical
Dunn-EdwardsCavernous
Cavernous
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Cheating Heart
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Dark and Stormy
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Hopper Head
Farrow & Ball
Nearly identical
Grey Metal
PPG
Nearly identical
Motor Gray
Kilz
Nearly identical
Chimney Smoke
Valspar
Very similar
Blue Grey
RAL
Very similar
Metal .05
Colorhouse
Very similar
Peppercorn
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Midnight Magic
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Midnight Magic
Vista Paint
Very similar
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Cracked Pepper
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
Pure 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. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Cracked Pepper in your own space before committing.
What colors match Cracked Pepper from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Cracked Pepper are Cavernous by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Nightfall by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical 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 Light Reflectance Value (LRV) 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.