Black Magic
PPG1001-7 · #414040 · LRV 5 — neutral with no strong undertone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Cordovan Brown0
- 2Black Magic5
What Color Is Black Magic, Really?
Black Magic reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Glidden PPG1001-7 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Black Magic
Black Magic 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 Black Magic
At LRV 5, Black Magic 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 Black Magic 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 Glidden PPG1001-7 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 | DarkroomSW 7083 · Sherwin-Williams | 3.5 | 5 | Color page → |
| Behr | BlackoutN510-7 · Behr | 0.8 | 5 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Black Panther2125-10 · Benjamin Moore | 1.9 | 5 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Arrowhead8006-11F · Valspar | 0.6 | 5 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Black MagicPPG1001-7 · PPG / Glidden | 0.7 | 5 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Cauldron437-7DB · Dutch Boy | 1.4 | 5 | Color page → |
Similar Glidden Colors
The nearest shades to Black Magic within Glidden'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 #414040 in HSL space. Pair Black Magic with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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