Spade Black
BNC-38 · #2D3439 · LRV 3 — cool blue tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Spade Black3
- 2Graphite8
What Color Is Spade Black, Really?
Spade Black reads as a cool blue tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Behr BNC-38 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Spade Black
Spade Black earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Near-blacks like this are best as contrast — doors, trim, cabinets, window frames.
How Lighting Changes Spade Black
At LRV 3, Spade Black is about as dark as paint gets — it reads near-black on a wall and reveals its character only in direct daylight or under warm bulbs. Its blue undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Spade Black are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Behr BNC-38 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | InkwellSW 6992 · Sherwin-Williams | 1.3 | 4 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Black Knight2136-10 · Benjamin Moore | 2.5 | 5 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Very Black5011-2 · Valspar | 2.6 | 3.2 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | CaviarHGSW 6990 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 4.8 | 3 | Color page → |
| Magnolia Home | BlackboardJG-05 · Magnolia Home | 2.6 | 3 | Color page → |
| Diamond Vogel | Grantsburg GrayH101 · Diamond Vogel | 4.2 | 4 | Color page → |
Similar Behr Colors
The nearest shades to Spade Black within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #2D3439 in HSL space. Pair Spade Black with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Have you painted with Spade Black?
Rate it — one tap helps the next reader decide.
Ask a Question