Softened Coal 438-5DB is a gray paint color from Dutch Boy. It has a hex value of #65615E, estimated 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.
Dutch Boy · #65615E · 438-5DB
Softened Coal
12%Estimated LRV
NeutralUndertone
Softened Coal Technical Profile
HEX Code#65615E
RGB101, 97, 94
Estimated LRV12.1
UndertoneNeutral
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
BrandDutch Boy
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 Softened Coal
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Semi-Sweet
Valspar
#625F5D
Close digital match
Dark Woods
PPG
#635F5A
Close digital match
Tobacco Incense
Dunn-Edwards
#615D5A
Close digital match
Gropius Gray
Hirshfield's
#63615D
Close digital match
Gropius Gray
Vista Paint
#63615D
Close digital match
Intellectual
Behr
#605C5A
Close digital match
Underground
Kilz
#69655F
Similar digital color
Coachman's Cape
Benjamin Moore
#6B645E
Similar digital color
Folkstone
Sherwin-Williams
#6D6562
Similar digital color
Quartz Grey
RAL
#6C6960
Similar digital color
Down Pipe
Farrow & Ball
#626664
Similar digital color
Metal .05
Colorhouse
#535654
Visible digital difference
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Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With Softened Coal
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
Softened Coal
#65615E
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#949062
Trim & Molding
Digital 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. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match Softened Coal from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Softened Coal are Semi-Sweet by Valspar (a close digital match), Dark Woods by PPG (a close digital match), Tobacco Incense by Dunn-Edwards (a close digital 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 estimated lightness value 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.