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Grays
Steely Grey
Steely Grey is a mid-tone, cool neutral color with a faint blue undertone. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 30.4, so it reflects roughly 30% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #90979B |
|---|---|
| RGB | 144, 151, 155 |
| HSL | 202°, 5%, 59% |
| Estimated LRV | 30.4 |
| Temperature | cool neutral |
| Text on it | Black text, contrast 7.1:1 |
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
Reads as a clear color on the wall. Good for bedrooms, dining rooms, accent walls and rooms with good daylight. Pair with a lighter trim or ceiling to keep it from closing in.
North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that can push this color cooler and grayer. Test it there before committing, or pick a slightly warmer cousin.
South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light, which this cooler color can calm.
Rooms it suits
- Dining rooms
- Accent walls
- Kitchen islands and lower cabinets
- Powder rooms
A 60-30-10 palette built on Steely Grey
Anti-Flash White
Steely Grey
Flint Rock
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
Flint Rock#989493Analogous
Lavender Ash#9998A7Analogous
Happy Cement#979EA1Triadic
Hong Kong Mist#948E90Triadic
Concrete Jungle#999988Split complementary
Hong Kong Mist#948E90Tints 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 Steely Grey in real paint
Steely Grey 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.