CP
DUNN-EDWARDS · DESS50

Dunn-Edwards Carbonized Wood#3C3C3C · LRV 5

Carbonized Wood reads as a true neutral (no measurable hue) — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover the spec, what Dunn-Edwards DESS50 actually looks like under different light, and the closest matches at competing US brands.

DUNN-EDWARDS CARBONIZED WOOD
RGB 60, 60, 60 LRV 5

Color spec

Brand Dunn-Edwards
Name Carbonized Wood
SKU DESS50
Hex #3C3C3C
RGB 60, 60, 60
HSL 0°, 0%, 24%
LRV 5
Undertone true neutral (no measurable hue)
Family Black

About Dunn-Edwards Carbonized Wood

At LRV 5, Carbonized Wood 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. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.

Carbonized Wood 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.

Closest matches at every US brand

13 brands · top 5 each

5 closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all black from that brand.

Behr

5,644 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.33
All black at Behr →
PPF-59 · #3D3D3D · ΔE 0.33 · LRV 5
MQ5-5 · #3C3C3D · ΔE 0.69 · LRV 5
QE-64 · #3C3D3D · ΔE 0.69 · LRV 5
BLACK · #3D3D3E · ΔE 0.78 · LRV 5
MQ5-05 · #3B3C3B · ΔE 1.06 · LRV 4

C2 Paint

580 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.33
All black at C2 Paint →
C2-981 · #3B3B3B · ΔE 0.33 · LRV 4
C2-949 · #423F40 · ΔE 2.46 · LRV 5
C2-677 · #39423F · ΔE 5.92 · LRV 5
C2-757 · #393E48 · ΔE 5.95 · LRV 5
BD49 · #3E373F · ΔE 6.99 · LRV 4

PPG / Glidden

2,132 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.69
All black at PPG / Glidden →
PPG0995-7 · #3C3D3D · ΔE 0.69 · LRV 5
PPG1001-7 · #404040 · ΔE 1.32 · LRV 5
FLLW36 · #404149 · ΔE 5.17 · LRV 5
PPG1013-7 · #404049 · ΔE 5.74 · LRV 5
PPG14-05 · #3D4645 · ΔE 5.84 · LRV 6

Kompozit

1,321 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.76
All black at Kompozit →
0529 · #3A3B3B · ΔE 0.76 · LRV 4
0543 · #423F3B · ΔE 3 · LRV 5
0522 · #38393F · ΔE 3.9 · LRV 4
0557 · #463E3B · ΔE 4.86 · LRV 5
1229 · #40373E · ΔE 7.31 · LRV 4

Benjamin Moore

3,934 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.78
All black at Benjamin Moore →
2133-20 · #3D3D3E · ΔE 0.78 · LRV 5
2120-20 · #3A3C3E · ΔE 1.57 · LRV 6
2119-20 · #3A3B3F · ΔE 2.59 · LRV 6
2135-10 · #393D3C · ΔE 2.7 · LRV 6
2118-20 · #3C3B40 · ΔE 3.48 · LRV 6

Diamond Vogel

1,386 colors in deck · best ΔE 0.78
All black at Diamond Vogel →
0515 · #3D3D3E · ΔE 0.78 · LRV 5
H101 · #393A3B · ΔE 1.07 · LRV 4
0529 · #464747 · ΔE 3.63 · LRV 6
H098 · #454742 · ΔE 4.97 · LRV 6
H142 · #50433E · ΔE 7.9 · LRV 6

Valspar

2,858 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.26
All black at Valspar →
V120-3 · #3A3C3D · ΔE 1.26 · LRV 4.5
8006-4G · #3C3E3C · ΔE 2.11 · LRV 5
V123-3 · #3C3E3C · ΔE 2.11 · LRV 4.8
8005-1G · #3F3E39 · ΔE 3.19 · LRV 5
V119-3 · #3F3E39 · ΔE 3.19 · LRV 4.8

Farrow & Ball

209 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.56
All black at Farrow & Ball →
NO. 256 · #3B3938 · ΔE 1.56 · LRV 4
NO. 57 · #454749 · ΔE 3.87 · LRV 6
NO. 31 · #45494C · ΔE 4.86 · LRV 7
NO. 294 · #484348 · ΔE 5.5 · LRV 6
NO. 36 · #534644 · ΔE 8.24 · LRV 7

Dutch Boy

1,340 colors in deck · best ΔE 1.89
All black at Dutch Boy →
437-7DB · #41403E · ΔE 1.89 · LRV 5
438-6DB · #413C39 · ΔE 3.25 · LRV 5
447-7DB · #443E40 · ΔE 4.25 · LRV 5
445-7DB · #3A373E · ΔE 5.32 · LRV 4
424-7DB · #343B36 · ΔE 5.77 · LRV 4

Sherwin-Williams

1,947 colors in deck · best ΔE 2.06
All black at Sherwin-Williams →
SW 6994 · #373A3A · ΔE 2.06 · LRV 4
SW 9600 · #413D3C · ΔE 2.5 · LRV 5
SW 7083 · #443E40 · ΔE 4.25 · LRV 5
SW 6988 · #3B373C · ΔE 4.64 · LRV 4
SW 6216 · #343B36 · ΔE 5.77 · LRV 4

Clare

78 colors in deck · best ΔE 3.9
All black at Clare →
PNT100-DP-54 · #484745 · ΔE 3.9 · LRV 6
PNT100-DP-55 · #515052 · ΔE 7.01 · LRV 8
PNT100-DP-42 · #545E66 · ΔE 12.53 · LRV 11
PNT100-DP-77 · #604B56 · ΔE 13.98 · LRV 8
PNT100-MD-40 · #41656D · ΔE 17.65 · LRV 12

Backdrop

30 colors in deck · best ΔE 4.6
All black at Backdrop →
BD-AH · #3D423E · ΔE 4.6 · LRV 6
BD-LC · #3F4458 · ΔE 10.7 · LRV 6
BD-NE · #3D4D3F · ΔE 12.33 · LRV 7
BD-IT · #5C4435 · ΔE 13.42 · LRV 7
BD-WK · #3F546B · ΔE 13.9 · LRV 8

Magnolia Home

160 colors in deck · best ΔE 4.68
All black at Magnolia Home →
JG-05 · #31343A · ΔE 4.68 · LRV 3
JG-97 · #40464B · ΔE 4.93 · LRV 6
JG-144 · #48474C · ΔE 5.12 · LRV 6
JG-150 · #3F3632 · ΔE 5.62 · LRV 4
JG-102 · #4B3C49 · ΔE 11.22 · LRV 5

Similar Dunn-Edwards colors

closest in the Dunn-Edwards deck

The nearest shades to Carbonized Wood within Dunn-Edwards's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.

DEA002 · LRV 4
DE6350 · LRV 5
DEBN13 · LRV 5
DEBN22 · LRV 5
DEA181 · LRV 5
DEBN80 · LRV 6

Coordinated palette

Generated by hue-rotating #3C3C3C in HSL space. Pair Carbonized Wood with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.

COMPLEMENTARY
#3C3C3C + #3C3C3C
TRIADIC
#3C3C3C · #3C3C3C · #3C3C3C
ANALOGOUS
#3C3C3C · #3C3C3C · #3C3C3C

Accessibility (WCAG contrast)

Sample text on white
11.03:1 AAA
Sample text on black
1.9:1 fail

WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.

Dunn-Edwards Carbonized Wood Equivalents at Other Brands

Matching Carbonized Wood from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Dunn-Edwards DESS50 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.

C2 Paint Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

The closest C2 Paint equivalent of Carbonized Wood is Aperture (C2-981). At ΔE 0.33 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 4 vs 5). If C2 Paint is your counter, order Aperture and you'll get the same color. See the full Aperture swatch →

Behr Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

The closest Behr equivalent of Carbonized Wood is Limousine Leather (MQ5-5). At ΔE 0.69 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 5 vs 5). If Behr is your counter, order Limousine Leather and you'll get the same color. See the full Limousine Leather swatch →

PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

The closest PPG / Glidden equivalent of Carbonized Wood is Starless Sky (PPG0995-7). At ΔE 0.69 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 5 vs 5). If PPG / Glidden is your counter, order Starless Sky and you'll get the same color. See the full Starless Sky swatch →

Kompozit Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

The closest Kompozit equivalent of Carbonized Wood is Black Licorice (0529). At ΔE 0.76 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 4 vs 5). If Kompozit is your counter, order Black Licorice and you'll get the same color. See the full Black Licorice swatch →

Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

The closest Benjamin Moore equivalent of Carbonized Wood is Black Jack (2133-20). At ΔE 0.78 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 5 vs 5). If Benjamin Moore is your counter, order Black Jack and you'll get the same color. See the full Black Jack swatch →

Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

The closest Diamond Vogel equivalent of Carbonized Wood is Silent Sea (0515). At ΔE 0.78 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same true neutral undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 5 vs 5). If Diamond Vogel is your counter, order Silent Sea and you'll get the same color. See the full Silent Sea swatch →

Valspar Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

Valspar's nearest match is Black Heron (V120-3), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.26). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 4.5 vs 5) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Carbonized Wood without repainting risk. See the full Black Heron swatch →

Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

Farrow & Ball's nearest match is Pitch Black (NO. 256), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.56). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 4 vs 5) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Carbonized Wood without repainting risk. See the full Pitch Black swatch →

Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Carbonized Wood is Armory (SW 9600) — very close at ΔE 2.5, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 5 vs 5) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Armory swatch →

Dutch Boy Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Carbonized Wood is Ebony Sky (438-6DB) — very close at ΔE 3.25, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 5 vs 5) and carries a warm red-orange undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Ebony Sky swatch →

Clare Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

Clare has no exact twin of Carbonized Wood. The nearest is Blackish (PNT100-DP-54) at ΔE 3.9 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 6 vs 5). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Blackish swatch →

Backdrop Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

Backdrop has no exact twin of Carbonized Wood. The nearest is After Hours (BD-AH) at ΔE 4.6 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 6 vs 5). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full After Hours swatch →

Magnolia Home Equivalent of Carbonized Wood

Magnolia Home doesn't make a true equivalent of Carbonized Wood — the nearest deck color, Moments (JG-150), is clearly different (ΔE 5.62). For an exact match, any Magnolia Home retailer can custom-tint Dunn-Edwards DESS50 instead. See the full Moments swatch →

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