Liquorice is a true neutral — the rare paint color that doesn't push warm or cool, which makes it forgiving across mixed-lighting rooms and existing palettes. At LRV 7 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it only if you specifically want a clear warm or cool bias — a true neutral stays intentionally undecided, which is the whole point.
Ref. #4A4949 · CB10
Liquorice
7%LRV Value
Liquorice Technical Profile
What color is Farrow & Ball Liquorice (CB10)? It's a dark neutral gray — hex #4A4949, LRV 7. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Liquorice is Behr Timber Brown — a near-identical match on the wall, with Dunn-Edwards Black Tie and Benjamin Moore Midnight Oil also close. With an LRV of 7, Liquorice creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Liquorice is a true neutral — pair with any wood, any metal, any trim color. Off-white trim works in most homes; brushed nickel or matte black hardware both read well across spaces. As a deeper neutral, Liquorice 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. True neutrals read consistently across lighting conditions, which is why they're popular base colors. They inherit a faint warm cast under 2700K and a cool cast under 4000K, but never dramatically. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Liquorice in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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.
Colors Similar to Liquorice
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Liquorice
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Liquorice
#4A4949
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#77634F
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Liquorice
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Liquorice 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 Farrow & Ball Colors
Other Farrow & Ball colors close to Liquorice.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Liquorice — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Liquorice from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Liquorice are Timber Brown by Behr (a near-identical match), Black Tie by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Midnight Oil 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 Liquorice'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 Liquorice?
Liquorice has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 6.7, 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 Liquorice
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 Liquorice depends on the room. Here's how to choose.