Ref. #525E52 · 448
Dakota Shadow
10%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Dakota Shadow Technical Profile
What color is Dakota Shadow? It's a dark warm gray with the hex code #525E52. Colors similar to Dakota Shadow include Valspar Sherwood Forest, MPC Urban Forest, Behr Northern Glen. Dakota Shadow has a warm (golden) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 10, Dakota Shadow creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Dakota Shadow pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Dakota Shadow
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Dakota Shadow
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Dakota Shadow
#525E52
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#5B8872
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Dakota Shadow
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Dakota Shadow 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 Dakota Shadow.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Dakota Shadow — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Dakota Shadow have?
Dakota Shadow by Benjamin Moore has a warm (golden) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Dakota Shadow from other brands?
The closest matches are Sherwood Forest by Valspar (#4F5B51), Urban Forest by MPC (#4F5A4F), Northern Glen by Behr (#546258). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Dakota Shadow?
Dakota Shadow has an LRV of 10.4, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Dakota Shadow
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 Dakota Shadow's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.