Ref. #393A3B · 2126-10
Black Tar
4%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Black Tar Technical Profile
What color is Black Tar? It's a dark neutral gray with the hex code #393A3B. Colors similar to Black Tar include Hirshfield's Black Licorice, Vista Paint Sayward Pine, Hirshfield's Sayward Pine. Black Tar has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 4, Black Tar creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Black Tar 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 Tar
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Black Tar
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Black Tar
#393A3B
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#434364
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Black Tar
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Black Tar 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 Tar.
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 Tar — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Black Tar have?
Black Tar by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Black Tar from other brands?
The closest matches are Black Licorice by Hirshfield's (#3A3B3B), Sayward Pine by Vista Paint (#3A3C3D), Sayward Pine by Hirshfield's (#383839). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Black Tar?
Black Tar has an LRV of 4.2, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Black Tar
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 Tar's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.