Black Widow reads as crisp and architectural — strong in modern spaces, with natural fixed elements (chrome, stone, glass), or as a quiet anchor. At LRV 10 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. #575958 · PPG0997-7
Black Widow
10%LRV Value
Black Widow Technical Profile
What color is PPG Black Widow (PPG0997-7)? It's a dark cool gray — hex #575958, LRV 10. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Black Widow is Benjamin Moore Ambler Slate — a near-identical match on the wall, with Hirshfield's Zen Retreat and Sherwin-Williams Forged Steel also close. With an LRV of 10, Black Widow 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, Black Widow 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, Black Widow 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 Black Widow in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Black Widow
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Ambler Slate
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Zen Retreat
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Forged Steel
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Carbon Copy
Behr
Nearly identical
Ship'S Anchor
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Metal .05
Colorhouse
Nearly identical
Zen Retreat
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Muted Ebony
Valspar
Nearly identical
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Black Widow
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Black Widow
#575958
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#5B8888
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Black Widow
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Black Widow 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Black Widow.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Black Widow — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Black Widow from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Black Widow are Ambler Slate by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Zen Retreat by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Forged Steel by Sherwin-Williams (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 Black Widow'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 Black Widow?
Black Widow has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 9.9, 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 Black Widow
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 Black Widow depends on the room. Here's how to choose.