Ref. #C4C2BD · MP543
Portland Cement
54%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Portland Cement Technical Profile
What color is Portland Cement? It's a medium warm gray with the hex code #C4C2BD. Colors similar to Portland Cement include Sherwin-Williams Knitting Needles, Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers, Benjamin Moore Smoke. Portland Cement has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. At LRV 54, Portland Cement sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. As a warm neutral, Portland Cement pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Portland Cement
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Knitting Needles
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Smoke Embers
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Gray Pearl
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Sugared Bronze
Kilz
Nearly identical
Silver City
Behr
Nearly identical
Place of Dust
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Place Of Dust
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Pavilion Gray
Farrow & Ball
Nearly identical
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Portland Cement
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Portland Cement
#C4C2BD
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A5AD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Portland Cement
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Portland Cement 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 MPC Colors
Other MPC colors close to Portland Cement.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Portland Cement — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Portland Cement have?
Portland Cement by MPC has a neutral undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Portland Cement from other brands?
The closest matches are Knitting Needles by Sherwin-Williams (#C3C1BC), Smoke Embers by Benjamin Moore (#C2C0BB), Smoke by Benjamin Moore (#C2C0BB). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Portland Cement?
Portland Cement has an LRV of 54.0, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Portland Cement
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 Portland Cement's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.