Steel Wool 2121-20 is a gray paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #797C7E, LRV 20 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Chipped Granite from Kilz (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #797C7E · 2121-20
Steel Wool
20%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Steel Wool Technical Profile
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Steel Wool in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Steel Wool in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Benjamin MooreSteel Wool
Nearly identical
KilzChipped Granite
Chipped Granite
Kilz
Nearly identical
Industrial Revolution
PPG
Nearly identical
Almost Charcoal
Valspar
Nearly identical
Subtle Shadow
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Tarnished Silver
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Before the Storm
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Game Over
Behr
Very similar
Refined Gray
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Subtle Shadow
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Dusty Grey
RAL
Very similar
Wool .04
Colorhouse
Visible difference
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Steel Wool — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Steel Wool
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Steel Wool
#797C7E
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8084AA
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Steel Wool
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Steel Wool 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 Steel Wool.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Steel Wool — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Steel Wool have?
Steel Wool by Benjamin Moore 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 Steel Wool in your own space before committing.
What colors match Steel Wool from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Steel Wool are Chipped Granite by Kilz (a near-identical match), Industrial Revolution by PPG (a near-identical match), Almost Charcoal by Valspar (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Steel Wool'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 Steel Wool?
Steel Wool has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 20.0, 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 Steel Wool
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 Steel Wool's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.