Ref. #383D42 · 2129-20
Soot
5%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Soot Technical Profile
What color is Soot? It's a dark cool gray with the hex code #383D42. Colors similar to Soot include MPC Black Hole Met., MPC Cessna Black Met., Kilz Night Magic. Soot has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 5, Soot creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a cool neutral, Soot pairs with cool whites for trim, gray-toned or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Black accents and natural greenery add contrast. Cool neutrals hold their crisp quality under 4000K+ daylight bulbs. Under 2700K warm light they soften considerably — particularly true for any blue or green undertone.
Colors Similar to Soot
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Soot
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Soot
#383D42
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 Soot
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Soot 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 Soot.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Soot — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Soot have?
Soot by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Soot from other brands?
The closest matches are Black Hole Met. by MPC (#3B4145), Cessna Black Met. by MPC (#3B3F41), Night Magic by Kilz (#3C4348). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Soot?
Soot has an LRV of 4.6, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Soot
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 Soot's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.