Gunmetal vs Iron Ore
Gunmetal (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. The 11-point LRV gap — 17 for Gunmetal vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Gunmetal will open up a space more effectively. Where Gunmetal leans blue, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 18.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gunmetal vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Gunmetal 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.
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. Gunmetal returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Gunmetal vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gunmetal 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 Gunmetal comparisons
See how Gunmetal stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
