Color spec
| Brand | PPG / Glidden |
| Name | Black Magic |
| SKU | PPG1001-7 |
| Hex | #1F2025 |
| RGB | 31, 32, 37 |
| HSL | 230°, 9%, 13% |
| LRV | 4 |
| Undertone | near-black with a faint undertone |
| Family | Black |
What Color Is Black Magic, Really?
Black Magic (PPG1001-7) is one of PPG's deepest blacks. With an LRV of 4, it absorbs almost all the light that hits it, so in nearly every room it simply reads as black. Look closely in bright daylight, though, and there is a faint cool lean: its color math sits in the blue range but at only about 9 percent saturation, which means the blue is a whisper, not a statement. In practice you get a soft, slightly cool black rather than a warm or brown one.
PPG positions it as their flagship deep black for accent walls and exteriors, and that is where it earns its keep. A near-black with a barely-there cool cast dodges the muddy brown look that some blacks turn in daylight.
It suits homeowners who want drama with restraint: a moody feature wall, black cabinets, a crisp front door, or a modern exterior with clean white trim.
Black Magic is close to a true black, but its underlying numbers place it on the cool side. The hue lands in the blue range, and saturation is only around 9 percent, so this is a near-neutral black with a slight cool lean rather than an obvious blue-black. You will not see it as blue on a wall; you will just notice it stays crisp instead of sliding warm or brown.
The faint cool cast shows up most in strong, direct daylight and next to warm materials like oak, brass, or beige stone, which make the black look cooler by contrast. Under low or artificial light it flattens to a plain, solid black.
Test it against a pure white and a warm off-white side by side. The white will reveal whether the cool lean reads as a clean gray-black or, in your specific light, edges toward charcoal.
Best Rooms and Uses for Black Magic
With an LRV of 4, Black Magic is a statement and contrast color, not a whole-room light. Used on every wall of a small or dim room it will shrink and darken the space, so save full four-wall treatments for larger rooms with good natural light, or for spaces where you want a deliberate cocoon effect like a media room, powder room, or bedroom feature wall.
It is strongest as an accent: a single feature wall, an inky ceiling, or built-ins. It excels on cabinets and kitchen islands, where its near-black depth pairs cleanly with light counters and white surrounds.
Outside, it is a natural fit for modern exteriors, shutters, and window trim, and it makes a confident front door. As interior trim or a door color it frames lighter walls with sharp contrast.
How Lighting Changes Black Magic
At an LRV of 4, Black Magic reflects very little light, so lighting changes its mood more than its color. In north-facing rooms, which get cool indirect light, it looks its coolest and can feel almost like solid shadow. South-facing rooms get the most sun, and that strong light is the best chance to see the faint cool lean and any subtle sheen in the finish.
East light is warm early then cool later, so the wall shifts through the day; west light warms it in the afternoon and softens the coolness slightly.
Bulb choice matters. Warm 2700K bulbs take the edge off the cool cast and make the black feel deeper and cozier. Cooler 3500K to 4000K bulbs keep it crisp and modern. Because so little light bounces back, add extra lighting to any room where Black Magic covers large areas.
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.
TEST IT IN YOUR LIGHT →Black Magic vs Similar Colors
Compared with Starless Sky (PPG0995-7, LRV 5), Black Magic is the truer black. Starless Sky reads as a soft charcoal gray, so if you want a color that clearly looks black rather than dark gray, Black Magic wins; if you want something a shade lighter and grayer for a big wall, Starless Sky is safer.
Napoleon (PPG1013-7, LRV 5) carries a more visible blue tint. Choose Napoleon when you actually want a blue-black; choose Black Magic when you want the blue to stay a faint suggestion.
Onyx (PPG1011-7, LRV 6) is lighter still and reads as a deep neutral gray-black. On cabinets or trim where you want maximum depth, Black Magic looks blacker; Onyx gives a slightly softer, more forgiving result in low light.
Colors That Go With Black Magic
For trim and ceilings, Pure White (PPG1001-1) at LRV 88 gives the crispest contrast and sits in the same color line as Black Magic, so the pairing looks intentional. If you want a softer, warmer frame, Antique White (PPG1015-2, LRV 78) takes the hard edge off.
For a second wall color that steps down from the black without jumping straight to white, Chinchilla (PPG1001-4, LRV 38) is a balanced mid gray, and Stone Beige (PPG1024-3, LRV 49) adds warmth to keep the scheme from feeling cold.
For an accent that echoes the cool lean, Mariner Blue (PPG1162-7, LRV 8) is a deep blue that reads as a near-black cousin on a front door or island. Natural wood tones and brushed brass or matte black hardware also sit well against it.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint PPG / Glidden PPG1001-7 directly — but if you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches:
Similar PPG / Glidden colors
closest in the PPG / Glidden deckThe nearest shades to Black Magic within PPG / Glidden's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #1F2025 in HSL space. Pair Black Magic with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
The Questions Everyone Asks
Is Black Magic warm or cool?
Black Magic is cool. Its color math sits in the blue range, but at only about 9 percent saturation the blue is very faint, so it reads as a soft, slightly cool black rather than an obvious blue-black. It avoids the brown or warm cast some blacks show in daylight, which keeps it looking crisp next to white trim.
Is Black Magic more gray or more black?
It reads as true black. With an LRV of 4 it absorbs almost all light, so in most rooms it looks solidly black rather than gray. Lighter PPG blacks like Starless Sky (PPG0995-7, LRV 5) or Onyx (PPG1011-7, LRV 6) read more as charcoal gray, but Black Magic stays firmly in black territory.
What white trim goes with Black Magic?
Pure White (PPG1001-1) at LRV 88 is the cleanest choice. It gives sharp, high-contrast trim and comes from the same color line as Black Magic, so the pairing looks deliberate. If you prefer a softer, warmer edge, Antique White (PPG1015-2, LRV 78) works well and takes the starkness out of the contrast.
Does Black Magic work on cabinets and exteriors?
Yes. Its near-black depth pairs cleanly with light counters and white surrounds, making it a strong pick for cabinets and kitchen islands. Outside, it suits modern exteriors, shutters, window trim, and front doors, where the faint cool lean helps it stay crisp instead of turning brown in full sun.
What does an LRV of 4 mean in practice?
LRV measures how much light a color reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white. At 4, Black Magic reflects almost nothing, so it reads as black and can make a room feel smaller and darker. Use it on accents or in well-lit or larger rooms, and add extra lighting since little light bounces back.
How is Black Magic different from Starless Sky?
Both are dark PPG colors, but Black Magic (LRV 4) reads as a true black while Starless Sky (PPG0995-7, LRV 5) reads as a soft charcoal gray. Choose Black Magic when you want a color that clearly looks black; choose Starless Sky when you want something a touch lighter and grayer that feels less heavy on a full wall.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Black Magic behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY BLACK MAGIC ON YOUR ROOM →Ask a Question
Not sure about Black Magic in your room?
Ask Jessica below — every question gets a real reply, usually within a day.