Behr black paint colors

Behr's black family runs deeper than the word "black" suggests. Across these 47 colors you get true near-blacks alongside dark, smoky tones that lean brown, green, or wine. The LRV in this slice spans 3 to 8, so even the lightest picks read as dark rather than gray.

Undertones matter most here. Space Black (N460-7) sits cool and neutral, while Catskill Brown (BXC-23) and Smooth Coffee (740B-7) warm things up. Olive Leaf (S-H-760) and Black Evergreen (MQ6-44) pull green, and Dark Burgundy Wine (BXC-09) carries a quiet red. None of these is a flat, lifeless black, which is exactly what makes them work in real rooms.

LRV (Light Reflectance Value) tells you how much light a color bounces back. In this black slice the range is tight, from 3 at the darkest to 8 at the lightest, so every color here is a low number by design. The lower you go, the more the wall disappears into shadow and the more dramatic the room feels.

If you want the deepest, most dramatic finish, lean toward the LRV 3 and 4 picks like Dark Burgundy Wine (BXC-09). If you want a dark color that still shows its undertone in daylight, step up to LRV 6 to 8 with something like Stone Hearth (790B-6) or Black Evergreen (MQ6-44). Always test a sample on your own wall, since dark colors shift hard between morning and evening light.

Dark blacks earn their keep where you want depth and contrast. They are excellent on accent walls, front doors, kitchen islands, built-in shelving, and trim that you want to pop against a lighter wall. A warm pick like Smooth Coffee (740B-7) suits a cozy study or dining room, while a cool one like Space Black (N460-7) sharpens a modern entry or powder room.

Think about light before you commit a whole room. In a bright space with big windows, a full black wall can look rich and intentional. In a small or dim room, the same color can feel heavy, so many people use it on one wall, the lower half of a wall, or cabinetry instead.

Black walls live or die by what sits next to them. Crisp white trim creates the sharpest, most classic contrast — Behr's own Ultra Pure White or a soft white like Swiss Coffee both work well against these darks. For a quieter, more enveloping look, run the same black onto the trim and ceiling so the room reads as one continuous shade.

Let the undertone guide your coordinating colors. Pair the green-leaning Olive Leaf (S-H-760) or Black Evergreen (MQ6-44) with warm wood and brass. Match the warmth of Catskill Brown (BXC-23) or Smooth Coffee (740B-7) with cream and tan, and keep the cool Space Black (N460-7) with grays and cooler whites.

Behr is sold exclusively at The Home Depot, and every one of these blacks is mixed to order at the paint counter — the can is tinted to your chosen color while you wait. For a black this dark, pick a tougher line: Marquee (about $55 a gallon, one-coat) or Dynasty (about $65, the most stain- and scuff-resistant) hold up better than Premium Plus on a high-contrast wall. Behr's reputation is the best big-box value, with strong coverage and durability on the premium lines for the price.

Any of these blacks can be cross-matched to another brand. Bring the Behr name and code — say Space Black (N460-7) — to any paint counter and they can color-match it into their own base, and the same works in reverse for matching another brand's black into Behr. You can also match these into the featured Kompozit deck, so a black you like here can carry across whichever brand you end up buying.