Asphalt Gray vs Black
Both from Behr's palette. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Asphalt Gray (LRV 11) reflects noticeably more light than Black (LRV 6), a difference of 6 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean yellow, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 13.3, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Asphalt Gray vs Black Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Asphalt Gray on one side and Black on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Asphalt Gray comparisons
See how Asphalt Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 11, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (11 vs 6) makes Asphalt Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 11, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 11, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 27 vs 11, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Asphalt Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 11 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 55 vs 11, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 44 vs 11, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Artichoke reads slightly lighter (LRV 21 vs 11), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 66 vs 11, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 11, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 11, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 68 vs 11, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Calamine reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Treron reflects far more light (LRV 25 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 45 vs 11, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Asphalt Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 11 vs 7), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cement grey reflects far more light (LRV 24 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 11), opening up a space where Asphalt Gray encloses it.