Black → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Black (2132-10), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Black
If you love Benjamin Moore Black but need a Sherwin Williams alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Black (2132-10) is a dark black with true neutral undertones. BM's truest black. No visible undertone, just deep, pure black. When you want black and nothing but black. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 3.44) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Black and every Sherwin Williams color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The good news: there is a strong Sherwin Williams match for Black. Tricorn Black (SW 6258) comes in with a Delta E of 1.8, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Tricorn Black is the closest SW match. Both are true, neutral blacks. Nearly identical.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Black
Tricorn Black is the closest SW match. Both are true, neutral blacks. Nearly identical.
| Black | Tricorn Black | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 3.44 | 3 |
| Hex | #353535 | #2F2F2F |
| Undertone | True Neutral | True Neutral Black |
| Family | Black | Black |
Undertone Comparison
Black has true neutral undertones. BM's truest black. No visible undertone, just deep, pure black. When you want black and nothing but black.
Tricorn Black has true neutral black undertones. About as close to a true, pure black as Sherwin Williams offers. No visible blue, brown, or green undertone. Just black.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Black in Your Room
Reads as a true black in all conditions. In very bright direct light, it simply looks like a deep, dark surface. No surprises.
Tricorn Black in Your Room
Reads as a true black in all conditions. In very bright direct light, you might detect the faintest warm lean, but functionally this is a neutral black.
LRV and Brightness
Black has an LRV of 3.44, while Tricorn Black has an LRV of 3. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Black
Benjamin Moore recommends Black for: front door, accent wall, shutters, trim detail, statement furniture. With an LRV of 3.44, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Tricorn Black is recommended for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, statement furniture. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Tricorn Black in the same rooms you planned for Black.
Black in Other Brands
Looking for Black equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Black (2132-10) is Tricorn Black (SW 6258) with a Delta E of 1.8, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Tricorn Black is the closest SW match. Both are true, neutral blacks. Nearly identical. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Black is a Benjamin Moore color with true neutral undertones and an LRV of 3.44. Tricorn Black is a Sherwin Williams color with true neutral black undertones and an LRV of 3. With a Delta E of 1.8, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 1.8, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.