Kendall Charcoal vs Iron Ore
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) and Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069).
| Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal | Sherwin Williams Iron Ore | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | HC-166 | SW 7069 |
| Hex |
#6D6D67
|
#524C47
|
| RGB | 109, 109, 103 | 82, 76, 71 |
| LRV | 12.67 | 6 |
| Undertone | Warm Green-Gray | Warm Brown-Black |
| Family | Gray | Black |
| Best Rooms | Accent Wall, Exterior, Front Door, Office, Powder Room | Front Door, Accent Wall, Exterior Trim, Cabinets, Shutters |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 12.67 (dark) and Iron Ore has an LRV of 6 (dark). Kendall Charcoal will make a room feel noticeably brighter.
The Full Comparison
Two popular dark neutrals that serve very different roles despite similar depth. Kendall Charcoal (BM) is a cool-leaning charcoal with subtle green undertones. Iron Ore (SW) is warmer and browner, sitting firmly in the warm dark neutral family. For a moody bedroom or dramatic exterior, Kendall Charcoal provides depth without warmth. For a cozy cabin feel or to complement warm stone, Iron Ore's brown lean is more natural. Both are stunning on front doors, but the personality they project is quite different.
Kendall Charcoal Undertones
A deep, warm charcoal with subtle green undertones. Dark enough to make a statement without going full black.
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
Kendall Charcoal: Reads as a rich charcoal in most rooms. The green undertone shows in very bright light. Pairs beautifully with warm whites and brass accents.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Kendall Charcoal (Benjamin Moore) 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. Kendall Charcoal has warm green-gray undertones, while Iron Ore has warm brown-black undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Kendall Charcoal is lighter with an LRV of 12.67, 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 Kendall Charcoal (the lighter shade, LRV 12.67) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.