ColorplanBenjamin Moore Steel Wool (2121-20) is a very dark neutral gray with almost no visible undertone and an LRV of 20. For trim, try Ultra White (CC-10).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Gray |
| LRV | 19.6 (dark; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #787B7D |
| RGB | 120, 123, 125 |
| HSL | 204°, 2%, 48% |
About Steel Wool
Steel Wool (2121-20) is a very dark neutral gray from Benjamin Moore with almost no visible undertone. With an LRV of 20, Steel Wool absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
Because its undertone is so subtle, Steel Wool stays fairly consistent between north- and south-facing rooms. It's a good fit for bedrooms, offices, accent walls and kitchen cabinets. Next to Charcoal Linen (2133-40), it's darker.
How Steel Wool changes with the light
Steel Wool has a cool undertone. North light will push it cooler and grayer, while south and west light warm it up. If your room faces north, look at it next to a warm white trim.
North-facing rooms
Steel Wool has a cool undertone that north light will push cooler and grayer; warm white trim helps balance it.
East-facing rooms
Steel Wool will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows Steel Wool close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Steel Wool looks cool in the morning and warms up in the golden late-afternoon light.
See Steel Wool in real homes
Photos people have shared of Steel Wool in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Steel Wool equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Closest available · ΔE 5.1
Also close: Gauntlet Gray (ΔE 5.9)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Closest available · ΔE 5.4
Also close: Mole's Breath (ΔE 5.9)
Compare side by side →Behr
Closest available · ΔE 6.3
Also close: Adirondack Blue (ΔE 6.8)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Steel Wool questions
What undertone does Steel Wool have?
Steel Wool is close to a true neutral, with almost no visible undertone. Because its undertone is so subtle, Steel Wool stays fairly consistent between north- and south-facing rooms.
Is Steel Wool a light or dark color?
Steel Wool has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 19.6 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a very dark color. With an LRV of 20, Steel Wool absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
What is the closest match to Steel Wool in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Storm Cloud SW 6249 (closest available, ΔE 5.1); Farrow & Ball: De Nimes No.299 (closest available, ΔE 5.4); Behr: Dark Granite 780F-6 (closest available, ΔE 6.3). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Steel Wool?
Try Ultra White (CC-10) on trim and Wedding Veil (2125-70) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Steel Wool's undertone.
Where does Steel Wool work best?
Steel Wool works well in bedrooms, offices, accent walls and kitchen cabinets. With an LRV of 20, Steel Wool absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
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