Cracked Pepper vs Iron Ore
A side-by-side comparison of Behr Cracked Pepper (PPU18-01-2) and Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069).
| Behr Cracked Pepper | Sherwin Williams Iron Ore | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | PPU18-01-2 | SW 7069 |
| Hex |
#52504D
|
#524C47
|
| RGB | 82, 80, 77 | 82, 76, 71 |
| LRV | 7 | 6 |
| Undertone | Warm Near-Black | Warm Brown-Black |
| Family | Gray | Black |
| Best Rooms | Front Door, Accent Wall, Exterior Trim, Cabinets, Shutters | Front Door, Accent Wall, Exterior Trim, Cabinets, Shutters |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Cracked Pepper has an LRV of 7 (dark) and Iron Ore has an LRV of 6 (dark). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
The dark neutral showdown across brands. Cracked Pepper (Behr) is a warm charcoal with brown undertones. Iron Ore (SW) is similar in depth but slightly warmer and more distinctly brown. Both are popular for front doors, accent walls, and exterior trim. Cracked Pepper is one of Behr's most searched colors and reads as a softer alternative to true black. Iron Ore has been a design favorite for years, especially for modern farmhouse exteriors. For budget-conscious painters, Cracked Pepper delivers a very similar look at Behr's price point.
Cracked Pepper Undertones
Behr's 2024 Color of the Year. A warm, dark charcoal-black with the speckled warmth of freshly cracked pepper. Bold yet grounded by warm brown undertones.
Iron Ore Undertones
A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason.
Lighting Behavior
Cracked Pepper: In bright light, the warm brown shows through. In dim rooms, reads as a warm, sophisticated near-black. More alive than a flat black.
Iron Ore: In bright light, the warm brown undertone is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. Warmer than a true black, which gives it depth.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Cracked Pepper (Behr) and Iron Ore (Sherwin Williams) are not the same color. They're in the same family (gray), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Cracked Pepper has warm near-black undertones, while Iron Ore has warm brown-black undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Cracked Pepper is lighter with an LRV of 7, compared to Iron Ore's LRV of 6. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Iron Ore (the darker shade, LRV 6) on walls and Cracked Pepper (the lighter shade, LRV 7) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.