Color spec
| Brand | Valspar |
| Name | Dark Kettle Black |
| SKU | 4011-2 |
| Hex | #2A2A2A |
| RGB | 42, 42, 42 |
| HSL | 0°, 0%, 16% |
| LRV | 4 |
| Undertone | neutral with no strong undertone |
| Family | Black |
What Color Is Dark Kettle Black, Really?
Dark Kettle Black reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Valspar 4011-2 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Dark Kettle Black
Dark Kettle 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 Dark Kettle Black
At LRV 4, Dark Kettle 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 Dark Kettle 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.
TEST IT IN YOUR LIGHT →Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Valspar 4011-2 directly — but if you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches:
Similar Valspar colors
closest in the Valspar deckThe nearest shades to Dark Kettle Black within Valspar'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 #2A2A2A in HSL space. Pair Dark Kettle Black 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.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Dark Kettle Black behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY DARK KETTLE BLACK ON YOUR ROOM →
Ask a Question
Not sure about Dark Kettle Black in your room?
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