Ref. #797B80 · DE6355
Tarnished Silver
20%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Tarnished Silver Technical Profile
What color is Tarnished Silver? It's a deep cool gray with the hex code #797B80. Colors similar to Tarnished Silver include Kilz Whale Tail, Valspar Nuts and Bolts, Behr Complex Gray. Tarnished Silver has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 20, Tarnished Silver creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a cool neutral, Tarnished Silver pairs with cool whites for trim, gray-toned or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Black accents and natural greenery add contrast. Cool neutrals hold their crisp quality under 4000K+ daylight bulbs. Under 2700K warm light they soften considerably — particularly true for any blue or green undertone.
Colors Similar to Tarnished Silver
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Tarnished Silver
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Tarnished Silver
#797B80
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8A81AB
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Tarnished Silver
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Tarnished Silver 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 Tarnished Silver.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Tarnished Silver — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Tarnished Silver have?
Tarnished Silver by Dunn-Edwards has a cool (blue) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Tarnished Silver from other brands?
The closest matches are Whale Tail by Kilz (#7C7D82), Nuts and Bolts by Valspar (#7C7F86), Complex Gray by Behr (#76777A). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Tarnished Silver?
Tarnished Silver has an LRV of 19.8, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Tarnished Silver
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 Tarnished Silver's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.