Inked vs Iron Ore
Inked (Behr) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Inked belongs to the blue family and Iron Ore to the grey family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 8 vs 6 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Inked leans blue, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 17.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Inked vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Inked and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Inked reads more restrained here, while Iron Ore adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Inked vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Inked on one side and Iron Ore 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 Inked comparisons
See how Inked stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
