Anthracite grey vs Iron Ore
Anthracite grey (RAL Classic) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Anthracite grey belongs to the blue-grey family and Iron Ore to the grey family. The 3-point LRV gap — 8 for Anthracite grey vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Anthracite grey will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 5.3 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.
Anthracite grey vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Anthracite grey and Iron Ore 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.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
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. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
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. The distinction reads clearly at room scale, making the choice between them concrete.
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. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
Color Details
Anthracite grey vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Anthracite grey 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 Anthracite grey comparisons
See how Anthracite grey stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
