True Black
438-7DB · #2F2F30 · LRV 3 — neutral with no strong undertone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1True Black3
- 2Graphite8
What Color Is True Black, Really?
True Black reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Dutch Boy 438-7DB behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for True Black
True 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 True Black
At LRV 3, True 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. 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.
Most complaints about True 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 Dutch Boy 438-7DB 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 | Tricorn BlackSW 6258 · Sherwin-Williams | 0.0 | 3 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Black2132-10 · Benjamin Moore | 0.6 | 5 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Tomcat8006-12G · Valspar | 0.7 | 3 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Starless SkyPPG0995-7 · PPG / Glidden | 4.6 | 5 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Onyx Black00NN 05/000 · Glidden | 4.0 | 5 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Tricorn BlackHGSW 1441 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 0.0 | 3 | Color page → |
Similar Dutch Boy Colors
The nearest shades to True Black within Dutch Boy'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 #2F2F30 in HSL space. Pair True Black with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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