Ref. #5C5451 · DE6391
Black Russian
9%LRV Value
Warm (Pink)Undertone
Black Russian Technical Profile
What color is Black Russian? It's a dark warm gray with the hex code #5C5451. Colors similar to Black Russian include Behr Gardeners Soil, Hirshfield's Smokescreen, Vista Paint Smokescreen. Black Russian has a warm (pink) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 9, Black Russian 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, Black Russian 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 Black Russian
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Black Russian
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Black Russian
#5C5451
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#867C5A
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Black Russian
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Black Russian 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 Dunn-Edwards Colors
Other Dunn-Edwards colors close to Black Russian.
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 Russian — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Black Russian have?
Black Russian by Dunn-Edwards has a warm (pink) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Black Russian from other brands?
The closest matches are Gardeners Soil by Behr (#5E5551), Smokescreen by Hirshfield's (#5E5755), Smokescreen by Vista Paint (#5F5855). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Black Russian?
Black Russian has an LRV of 9.2, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Black Russian
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 Russian's warm (pink) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.