Softened Coal 438-5DB is a gray paint color from Dutch Boy. It has a hex value of #65615E, LRV 12 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Semi-Sweet from Valspar (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #65615E · 438-5DB
Softened Coal
12%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Softened Coal Technical Profile
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Softened Coal in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Softened Coal in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Dutch BoySoftened Coal
Nearly identical
ValsparSemi-Sweet
Semi-Sweet
Valspar
Nearly identical
Dark Woods
PPG
Nearly identical
Tobacco Incense
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Gropius Gray
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Gropius Gray
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Intellectual
Behr
Nearly identical
Underground
Kilz
Very similar
Coachman's Cape
Benjamin Moore
Very similar
Folkstone
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Quartz Grey
RAL
Very similar
Down Pipe
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Metal .05
Colorhouse
Visible difference
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Softened Coal
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Softened Coal
#65615E
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#949062
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Softened Coal
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Softened Coal 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 Softened Coal.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Softened Coal — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Softened Coal have?
Softened Coal by Dutch Boy has a neutral undertone and sits in the gray color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Softened Coal in your own space before committing.
What colors match Softened Coal from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Softened Coal are Semi-Sweet by Valspar (a near-identical match), Dark Woods by PPG (a near-identical match), Tobacco Incense by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Softened Coal'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 Softened Coal?
Softened Coal has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 12.1, 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 Softened Coal
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 Softened Coal's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.