Ref. #3E3F41 · DE6350
Dark Engine
5%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Dark Engine Technical Profile
What color is Dark Engine? It's a dark neutral gray with the hex code #3E3F41. Colors similar to Dark Engine include Behr Totally Black, Valspar Dark Kettle Black, Benjamin Moore Black Jack. Dark Engine has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 5, Dark Engine creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Dark Engine 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 Dark Engine
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Dark Engine
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Dark Engine
#3E3F41
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#4D476B
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Dark Engine
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Dark Engine 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 Dark Engine.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Dark Engine — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Dark Engine have?
Dark Engine by Dunn-Edwards has a neutral undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Dark Engine from other brands?
The closest matches are Totally Black by Behr (#3E3F41), Dark Kettle Black by Valspar (#3F4043), Black Jack by Benjamin Moore (#3E3E3F). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Dark Engine?
Dark Engine has an LRV of 5.0, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Dark Engine
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 Dark Engine's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.