Soft Charcoal

Technical Profile

What color is Soft Charcoal? It's a medium warm gray with the hex code #838298. Colors similar to Soft Charcoal include Benjamin Moore Purple Haze, Benjamin Moore Purple Haze, Behr Gothic Purple. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Soft Charcoal has a cool (violet) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Soft Charcoal (#838298) by Dunn-Edwards is a medium gray paint color with a understated, nearly neutral quality. It delivers a versatile mid-tone depth that anchors a room without overwhelming it. On the temperature spectrum this shade leans toward warmth, adding coziness and inviting energy. Its RGB channels are closely balanced, contributing to its neutral, even-keeled visual character. A Light Reflectance Value of 52 gives it moderate light reflection, striking a balance between brightness and depth. A mid-tone neutral at this depth adds sophisticated warmth or coolness to living rooms, bedrooms, and transitional hallways, grounding the space without closing it in. A satin or eggshell finish brings out the richness at this depth, and the slight sheen makes walls easier to maintain. For color coordination, Soft Charcoal pairs beautifully with yellow tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring purple and blue hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its cool (violet) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Dunn-Edwards is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Benjamin Moore, Behr, Valspar and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Soft Charcoal strikes a cozy, amber-toned balance that feels like late-afternoon light filtering through linen curtains. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for a wide range of interior design styles. As part of the Dunn-Edwards palette, Soft Charcoal benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Soft Charcoal can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. Mid-tone shades like this look best when balanced with a mix of textures — think leather seating, brushed brass hardware, woven wool, and raw-edge wood. You can order Soft Charcoal (DE5935) directly from Dunn-Edwards or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.