PAINT COLOR COMPARISON
BehrCracked Peppervs Sherwin-WilliamsTricorn Black
Why this comparison. Behr’s popular soft black against SW’s true black.
Cracked Pepper and Tricorn Black are very close (ΔE 4.86). The difference shows up most in side-by-side comparison and under specific light.
BEHR · PPU18-01
Cracked Pepper
#3C3A36 · LRV 5
Undertone: red-orange / warm
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS · SW 6258
Tricorn Black
#2F2F30 · LRV 3
Undertone: true neutral
The numbers
ΔE2000
4.86
noticeable
Perceptual color distance — lower = more similar
LRV DELTA
2
Cracked Pepper is lighter
Light reflectance: how bright on a wall
UNDERTONE
Different
Cracked Pepper: red-orange / warm
Tricorn Black: true neutral
Tricorn Black: true neutral
LRV is essentially equal (5 vs 3) — both reflect light the same.
Specs side by side
| Spec | Cracked Pepper | Tricorn Black |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Behr | Sherwin-Williams |
| SKU | PPU18-01 | SW 6258 |
| Hex | #3C3A36 | #2F2F30 |
| RGB | 60, 58, 54 | 47, 47, 48 |
| LRV | 5 | 3 |
| Undertone | red-orange / warm | true neutral |
| Family | Black | Black |
When to pick which
PICK CRACKED PEPPER
Behr Cracked Pepper
Best when you want a warmer wall feel — pairs well with brass, oak, and creams.
PICK TRICORN BLACK
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black
Best when you want the more neutral baseline — works in nearly any room.
Kompozit alternatives
Closest hex in the Kompozit deck for each side, ranked by ΔE2000.
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