Soft Charcoal DE5935 is a gray paint color from Dunn-Edwards. It has a hex value of #838298, estimated LRV 23 and a cool (violet) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Purple Haze from Benjamin Moore (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Dunn-Edwards · #838298 · DE5935
Soft Charcoal
23%Estimated LRV
Cool (Violet)Undertone
Soft Charcoal Technical Profile
HEX Code#838298
RGB131, 130, 152
Estimated LRV23.1
UndertoneCool (Violet)
Digital swatches and calculated matches are approximations. Catalog LRV values may be calculated estimates, not manufacturer measurements. Data and matching method. Check the brand reference and physical samples before purchase.
Color Familygray
BrandDunn-Edwards
Test it in your room
Place physical samples beside your flooring and trim. Check them in daylight and with your evening lights before buying paint.
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Compare alternatives to Soft Charcoal
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Purple Haze
Benjamin Moore
#838093
Close digital match
Gothic Purple
Behr
#88869D
Close digital match
Rapture
Valspar
#85839D
Close digital match
Soft Greyed Heather
PPG
#8A8495
Similar digital color
Garden Beauty
Vista Paint
#8D899C
Similar digital color
Violet Vibes
Hirshfield's
#898098
Similar digital color
Magic Cape
Dutch Boy
#7A7B98
Similar digital color
Gentle Grape
Sherwin-Williams
#908A9B
Similar digital color
Magical Twilight
Kilz
#7B8193
Similar digital color
Brassica
Farrow & Ball
#8D8089
Visible digital difference
Wool .04
Colorhouse
#8B8A8C
Visible digital difference
Telegrey 2
RAL
#82898F
Visible digital difference
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With Soft Charcoal
These are generated digital colors, not named manufacturer paints. Use the palette tools to find paint candidates, then compare physical samples.
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Soft Charcoal
#838298
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9B85AD
Trim & Molding
Digital white
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Soft Charcoal
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Soft Charcoal 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 Soft Charcoal.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Soft Charcoal — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Soft Charcoal have?
Soft Charcoal by Dunn-Edwards has a cool (violet) undertone and sits in the gray color family. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match Soft Charcoal from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Soft Charcoal are Purple Haze by Benjamin Moore (a close digital match), Gothic Purple by Behr (a close digital match), Rapture by Valspar (a close digital match) — the best options for getting Soft Charcoal'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 Soft Charcoal?
Soft Charcoal has a estimated lightness value of 23.1, 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 Soft Charcoal
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 Soft Charcoal's cool (violet) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.