RAL 9005 Jet Black — Hex, RGB, LRV, and Best US Paint Matches
The RAL classic for true black. Hex #0A0A0D · LRV ~5 · matching SKUs at Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Valspar.
Color spec
| Hex | #0A0A0D |
| RGB | 10, 10, 13 |
| CMYK | 0, 0, 0, 95 |
| HSL | 240°, 13%, 5% |
| Lab | L=3.4, a=-0.3, b=-1.7 |
| LRV | ~5 |
| RAL Classic | RAL 9005 |
Also known as / near matches
RAL 9005 is also called Jet Black or Tiefschwarz (German). Near neighbors in the RAL Classic deck: RAL 9011 Graphite Black (slightly lifted, LRV ~6) and RAL 9017 Traffic Black (slightly more neutral, LRV ~5). Pantone equivalent: Black C, with a small cool-cast deviation.
What it looks like in real life
Jet black is one of those colors that almost never reads as the same thing twice. In a south-facing room at 4pm it picks up warm afternoon light and reads almost like a charcoal-with-warmth. In a north-facing bathroom at 7am it reads inkier — close to true black with a faint cool cast. The Lab b-value (-1.7) tells you why: there’s a quiet blue under the neutral.
If you want a true neutral with no cast, RAL 9011 Graphite Black gets you there. If you want depth that holds against warm wood and brass, 9005 is the choice — the cool undertone keeps the black from going muddy when warm light bounces off the wall.
Closest matches at US paint brands
| Color | Brand | Name | SKU | LRV | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kompozit | Silent Sea | 0515 | 2 | — | |
| Sherwin-Williams | Tricorn Black | SW 6258 | 3 | — | |
| Benjamin Moore | Black | 2132-10 | 3 | — | |
| Behr | Cracked Pepper | PPU18-01 | 5 | — | |
| Valspar | Dark Kettle Black | 4011-2 | 4 | — | |
| Farrow & Ball | Pitch Black | No. 256 | 5 | — |
Tricorn and BM Black read slightly inkier than RAL 9005 (lower LRV). Cracked Pepper is the closest LRV match. Pitch Black has a distinctive warm-cool dance under shifting daylight that 9005 doesn’t quite have.
When to use this color
Great for:
- Accent walls in rooms with strong natural light (south or west exposure)
- Front doors with warm wood floors or brass hardware
- Cabinet color in larger kitchens with strong overhead light
- Trim against a soft white wall (creates a quiet drama, not aggressive contrast)
Tricky in:
- Small north-facing rooms — black absorbs nearly all the available light. Reads cave-like below 100 sq ft with one window.
- Bathrooms without strong artificial light — flat reads bluish-cold under cool LEDs.
- Direct south-facing exterior in warm climates — surface temp climbs 30–40°F above ambient. Use Sherwin Emerald Exterior, Behr Marquee, or specifically heat-rated exterior black.
Pairs well with
Painting tips
- Primer: tinted gray primer (Behr GreyTone, BM Fresh Start in P2 deep base, Sherwin ProBlock). Untinted white primer telegraphs through black for 3+ coats.
- Sheen: matte hides imperfections (every drywall dimple shows in a black wall — start matte). Satin if it’s a high-touch surface. Avoid semi-gloss/gloss unless the substrate is glass-smooth.
- Coats: plan on 3 coats over tinted primer. 2 coats if your primer is dark enough. Never 1 coat regardless of what the can promises.
- Application: roll only — brush marks show in black at six inches. Use a 3/8” microfiber roller. Roll wet-into-wet, no stopping mid-wall.
- Touch-up: keep an extra quart from the same gallon. Touch-ups in different cans of the “same color” almost always read different in raking light.
FAQ
Is RAL 9005 the same as Tricorn Black? Very close, slightly cooler. Indistinguishable on a wall to the eye; not identical to a colorimeter.
What sheen for a black accent wall? Matte for walls. Satin for cabinets. Skip gloss unless the surface is dead-flat.
Will RAL 9005 fade on an exterior front door? Yes — black absorbs UV and breaks down faster than lighter colors. Plan to repaint exterior black every 4–5 years (vs 7–10 for medium colors).