Onyx vs Pine Needle
Onyx (Benjamin Moore) and Pine Needle (Dulux) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Onyx belongs to the grey family and Pine Needle to the green family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 5 vs 7 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Onyx leans red, Pine Needle reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 16.6 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Onyx vs Pine Needle in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Onyx and Pine Needle in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Pine Needle brings more warmth to the space, while Onyx keeps things cooler and crisper.
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. Onyx reads more restrained here, while Pine Needle adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Onyx reads more restrained here, while Pine Needle adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Onyx vs Pine Needle Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Onyx on one side and Pine Needle 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 Onyx comparisons
See how Onyx stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 5, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 5, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 5, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 5, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 5, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
Pewter Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Duck Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
Vintage Vogue reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 5), opening up a space where Onyx encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 5, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.