Ref. #404145 · 4011-1
New Black
5%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
New Black Technical Profile
What color is New Black? It's a dark cool gray with the hex code #404145. Colors similar to New Black include Behr Totally Black, Dunn-Edwards Dark Engine, Benjamin Moore Black Berry. New Black has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 5, New Black 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, New Black 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. 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.
Colors Similar to New Black
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With New Black
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
New Black
#404145
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#554A6E
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for New Black
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
New Black 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 New Black.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
New Black — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does New Black have?
New Black by Valspar has a cool (blue) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match New Black from other brands?
The closest matches are Totally Black by Behr (#3E3F41), Dark Engine by Dunn-Edwards (#3E3F41), Black Berry by Benjamin Moore (#3B3C40). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of New Black?
New Black has an LRV of 5.3, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with New Black
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 New Black's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.