Ref. #3B3D3F · 2120-20
Black Iron
5%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Black Iron Technical Profile
What color is Black Iron? It's a dark neutral gray with the hex code #3B3D3F. Colors similar to Black Iron include Vista Paint Sayward Pine, Behr Totally Black, Dunn-Edwards Dark Engine. Black Iron has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 5, Black Iron creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Black Iron 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. 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.
Colors Similar to Black Iron
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Sayward Pine
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Totally Black
Behr
Nearly identical
Dark Engine
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Cessna Black Met.
MPC
Nearly identical
Black Licorice
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Dark Kettle Black
Valspar
Nearly identical
True Black
Kilz
Nearly identical
Greenblack
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Black Iron
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Black Iron
#3B3D3F
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#454568
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Black Iron
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Black Iron 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 Benjamin Moore Colors
Other Benjamin Moore colors close to Black Iron.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Black Iron — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Black Iron have?
Black Iron by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Black Iron from other brands?
The closest matches are Sayward Pine by Vista Paint (#3A3C3D), Totally Black by Behr (#3E3F41), Dark Engine by Dunn-Edwards (#3E3F41). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Black Iron?
Black Iron has an LRV of 4.6, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Black Iron
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 Black Iron's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.