Black grey vs RAL 790-5
Where Black grey belongs to RAL Classic's range, RAL 790-5 is a RAL Effect color. Black grey reads as blue-grey, while RAL 790-5 reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Black grey (LRV 6) reflects noticeably more light than RAL 790-5 (LRV 4), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 7.4 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Black grey vs RAL 790-5 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Black grey and RAL 790-5 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
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. The distinction reads clearly at room scale, making the choice between them concrete.
Color Details
Black grey vs RAL 790-5 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black grey on one side and RAL 790-5 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 Black grey comparisons
See how Black grey stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
