S 8000-N vs Charcoal Blue
S 8000-N (NCS) and Charcoal Blue (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. S 8000-N reads as grey, while Charcoal Blue reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 5 vs 6 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where S 8000-N leans neutral, Charcoal Blue reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 9.7 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
S 8000-N vs Charcoal Blue in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. S 8000-N and Charcoal Blue 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.
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. Charcoal Blue brings more warmth to the space, while S 8000-N keeps things cooler and crisper.
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. S 8000-N reads more restrained here, while Charcoal Blue 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. Charcoal Blue brings more warmth to the space, while S 8000-N 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. S 8000-N reads more restrained here, while Charcoal Blue adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
S 8000-N vs Charcoal Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see S 8000-N on one side and Charcoal Blue 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 S 8000-N comparisons
See how S 8000-N stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
