Black vs Artichoke

BlackBenjamin MoorevsArtichokeSherwin-WilliamsΔE 39.2Very different colors

Where Black belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Artichoke is a Sherwin-Williams color. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Artichoke (LRV 21) reflects noticeably more light than Black (LRV 5), a difference of 16 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 39.2, 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

Black
Benjamin Moore · PM-9
LRV5.1
BrandBenjamin Moore
NumberPM-9
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessDark
Artichoke
Sherwin-Williams · 6179
LRV21.4
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number6179
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessMedium

Black vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black on one side and Artichoke on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

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 comparisons

See how Black stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

Ammonite
Black
Ammonite
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

White Dove
Black
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 83 vs 5, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.

Iron Ore
Black
Iron Ore
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.

Purbeck Stone
Black
Purbeck Stone
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Evergreen Fog
Black
Evergreen Fog
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Mizzle
Black
Mizzle
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

At LRV 52 vs 5, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.

Agreeable Gray
Black
Agreeable Gray
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Accessible Beige
Black
Accessible Beige
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 58 vs 5, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.

Denim Drift
Black
Denim Drift
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 27 vs 5, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.

French Gray
Black
French Gray
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Naval
Black
Naval
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Sherwin-Williams
Naval
LRV 4

With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.

Tranquil Dawn
Black
Tranquil Dawn
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 55 vs 5, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.

Bancha
Black
Bancha
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Farrow & Ball
Bancha
LRV 13

A 8-point LRV gap (13 vs 5) makes Bancha the marginally brighter of the two.

Hardwick White
Black
Hardwick White
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 44 vs 5, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.

Pure White
Black
Pure White
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Balboa Mist
Balboa Mist
Black
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 66 vs 5, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.

Shoji White
Black
Shoji White
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 74 vs 5, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.

Snowbound
Black
Snowbound
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Sherwin-Williams
Snowbound
LRV 83

At LRV 83 vs 5, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.

Pigeon
Black
Pigeon
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Farrow & Ball
Pigeon
LRV 51

Pigeon reflects far more light (LRV 51 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Pewter Green
Black
Pewter Green
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

A 7-point LRV gap (12 vs 5) makes Pewter Green the marginally brighter of the two.

Duck Green
Black
Duck Green
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

A 3-point LRV gap (8 vs 5) makes Duck Green the marginally brighter of the two.

Skimming Stone
Black
Skimming Stone
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 68 vs 5, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.

Dix Blue
Black
Dix Blue
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
Farrow & Ball
Dix Blue
LRV 41

Dix Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Hicks' Blue
Black
Hicks' Blue
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Black vs Hicks' Blue

Slaked Lime Deep
Black
Slaked Lime Deep
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Black vs Slaked Lime Deep

Vintage Vogue
Black
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

A 7-point LRV gap (12 vs 5) makes Vintage Vogue the marginally brighter of the two.

Livid
Black
Livid
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

Black vs Livid

Saybrook Sage
Black
Saybrook Sage
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

At LRV 45 vs 5, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.

Pale Green
Black
Pale Green
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 5), opening up a space where Black encloses it.

Pine Needle
Black
Pine Needle
Benjamin Moore
Black
PM-9 · LRV 5

With LRVs of 7 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.