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Grays
Ultimate Grey
Ultimate Grey is a mid-tone, true neutral color with almost no undertone. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 39.3, so it reflects roughly 39% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #A9A8A9 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 169, 168, 169 |
| HSL | 300°, 1%, 66% |
| Estimated LRV | 39.3 |
| Temperature | true neutral |
| Text on it | Black text, contrast 8.9:1 |
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 that will make this color look warmer and more saturated in the afternoon.
Rooms it suits
- Living rooms with good daylight
- Bedrooms
- Home offices
- Kitchen walls and islands
A 60-30-10 palette built on Ultimate Grey
White Beach
Ultimate Grey
Crown of Ash
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
Crown of Ash#A1A9A9Analogous
Crown of Ash#A1A9A9Analogous
Crown of Ash#A1A9A9Triadic
Crown of Ash#A1A9A9Triadic
Crown of Ash#A1A9A9Split complementary
Crown of Ash#A1A9A9Tints 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 Ultimate Grey in real paint
Ultimate 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.