Onyx Shade reads as crisp and architectural — strong in modern spaces, with natural fixed elements (chrome, stone, glass), or as a quiet anchor. At LRV 9 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it if you want a cozy, warm room — cool neutrals can feel sterile under warm bulbs or in low light.
Ref. #4E555C · 433-7DB
Onyx Shade
9%LRV Value
Onyx Shade Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Onyx Shade (433-7DB)? It's a dark cool gray — hex #4E555C, LRV 9. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Onyx Shade is Valspar Dutch Licorice — a near-identical match on the wall, with Vista Paint Vermont Slate and Benjamin Moore Westcott Navy also close. With an LRV of 9, Onyx Shade 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, Onyx Shade 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. As a deeper neutral, Onyx Shade reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. 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. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Onyx Shade in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Onyx Shade
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Onyx Shade
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Onyx Shade
#4E555C
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#585885
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Onyx Shade
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Onyx Shade 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Onyx Shade.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Onyx Shade — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Onyx Shade from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Onyx Shade are Dutch Licorice by Valspar (a near-identical match), Vermont Slate by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Westcott Navy by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Onyx Shade's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Onyx Shade?
Onyx Shade has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 8.9, 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. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Onyx Shade
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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Onyx Shade depends on the room. Here's how to choose.