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Grays
Heavy Charcoal
Heavy Charcoal is a very deep, warm neutral color with a faint warm (yellow or red) undertone. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 8.7, so it reflects roughly 9% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #565350 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 86, 83, 80 |
| HSL | 30°, 4%, 33% |
| Estimated LRV | 8.7 |
| Temperature | warm neutral |
| Text on it | White text, contrast 7.6:1 |
LRV here is estimated from the screen color (relative luminance). Paint brands publish measured LRVs on their own chips, which can differ.
How it reads on a wall
Close to black on the wall. Best for doors, window frames, cabinetry, a single accent wall or exterior trim. Needs strong light and careful sheen choice.
North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light all day; a warm color like this one helps balance it.
South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light that will make this color look warmer and more saturated in the afternoon.
Rooms it suits
- Front doors and interior doors
- Cabinetry and built-ins
- Window frames and exterior trim
- One accent wall in a well-lit room
A 60-30-10 palette built on Heavy Charcoal
White Beach
Heavy Charcoal
Stone Cold
The 60-30-10 rule splits a room into a main color, a secondary color and an accent. Swap in real paint and fabric samples before you buy.
Harmonies
Complementary
Stone Cold#555555Analogous
Bark#5F5854Analogous
Stone Cold#555555Triadic
Stone Cold#555555Triadic
Stone Cold#555555Split complementary
Stone Cold#555555Tints and shades
Lighter tints work as a ceiling or adjoining-room color; deeper shades suit trim, doors or cabinets.
Similar named colors
Closest Colors of the Year
Getting Heavy Charcoal in real paint
Heavy Charcoal is a name from the open color-names list (MIT license), not a specific paint product. Most paint counters can mix a close match: bring a printed or physical sample, or use a brand color-match tool, then buy a sample pot and paint a 2 by 2 foot swatch on two walls. Screens and printers shift color.
On-screen colors are approximations. Pantone, Color of the Year and brand color names are trademarks of their owners.