Ref. #3B3C36 · 6015
Black Olive
4%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Black Olive Technical Profile
What color is Black Olive? It's a dark warm gray with the hex code #3B3C36. Colors similar to Black Olive include Valspar Magpie, Benjamin Moore Waller Green, Valspar Caviar. Black Olive has a warm (golden) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 4, Black Olive creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Black Olive 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 Black Olive
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Black Olive
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Black Olive
#3B3C36
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#4D6342
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Black Olive
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Black Olive 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 RAL Colors
Other RAL colors close to Black Olive.
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 Olive — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Black Olive have?
Black Olive by RAL has a warm (golden) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Black Olive from other brands?
The closest matches are Magpie by Valspar (#3F3E39), Waller Green by Benjamin Moore (#373B33), Caviar by Valspar (#3C3E3C). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Black Olive?
Black Olive has an LRV of 4.4, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Black Olive
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 Black Olive's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.