Black Ink vs Soot
Black Ink and Soot come from the same Benjamin Moore collection. Both sit in the blue-grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 6 vs 6 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Both share a blue character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. A ΔE of 1.7 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Black Ink vs Soot in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Black Ink and Soot are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Black Ink reads more restrained here, while Soot adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Soot brings more warmth to the space, while Black Ink keeps things cooler and crisper.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Black Ink reads more restrained here, while Soot adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Black Ink vs Soot Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black Ink on one side and Soot 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 Black Ink comparisons
See how Black Ink stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
