Onyx vs Anthracite grey
Onyx (Benjamin Moore) and Anthracite grey (RAL Classic) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Onyx belongs to the grey family and Anthracite grey to the blue-grey family. The 3-point LRV gap — 8 for Anthracite grey vs 5 for Onyx — means Anthracite grey will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 5.6 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Onyx vs Anthracite grey in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Onyx and Anthracite grey 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. Anthracite grey has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. Anthracite grey reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. Anthracite grey has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Onyx vs Anthracite grey Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Onyx on one side and Anthracite grey 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.
