Muted Ebony 4008-2C is a gray paint color from Valspar. It has a hex value of #5B5E5D, LRV 11 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Zen Retreat from Hirshfield's (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #5B5E5D · 4008-2C
Muted Ebony
11%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Muted Ebony Technical Profile
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Muted Ebony in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Muted Ebony in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
ValsparMuted Ebony
Nearly identical
Hirshfield'sZen Retreat
Zen Retreat
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Marengo
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Zen Retreat
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Knight's Armor
PPG
Nearly identical
Forged Steel
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Ambler Slate
Benjamin Moore
Very similar
Shades on
Behr
Very similar
Ship'S Anchor
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Metal .05
Colorhouse
Very similar
Down Pipe
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Motor Gray
Kilz
Very similar
Traffic Grey B
RAL
Very similar
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Muted Ebony
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Muted Ebony
#5B5E5D
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#5E868E
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Muted Ebony
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Muted Ebony 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 Valspar Colors
Other Valspar colors close to Muted Ebony.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Muted Ebony — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Muted Ebony have?
Muted Ebony by Valspar has a neutral undertone and sits in the gray color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Muted Ebony in your own space before committing.
What colors match Muted Ebony from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Muted Ebony are Zen Retreat by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Marengo by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Zen Retreat by Vista Paint (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Muted Ebony'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 Muted Ebony?
Muted Ebony has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 11.0, 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 Muted Ebony
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 Muted Ebony's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.