Very Black
5011-2 · #2F3238 · LRV 3.2 — cool blue tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Very Black3.2
- 2Oyster Catch9
What Color Is Very Black, Really?
Very Black reads as a cool blue tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Valspar 5011-2 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Very Black
Very 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 Very Black
At LRV 3.2, Very 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. Its blue undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Very 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 Valspar 5011-2 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 | Black MagicSW 6991 · Sherwin-Williams | 3.5 | 3 | Color page → |
| Behr | Spade BlackBNC-38 · Behr | 2.6 | 3 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Midnight Dream2129-10 · Benjamin Moore | 2.6 | 5 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Onyx Black00NN 05/000 · Glidden | 4.7 | 5 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | True Black438-7DB · Dutch Boy | 3.4 | 3 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | CaviarHGSW 6990 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 3.5 | 3 | Color page → |
Similar Valspar Colors
The nearest shades to Very Black within Valspar'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 #2F3238 in HSL space. Pair Very Black with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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