Black grey vs RAL 850-5
Where Black grey belongs to RAL Classic's range, RAL 850-5 is a RAL Effect color. Black grey reads as blue-grey, while RAL 850-5 reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. RAL 850-5 (LRV 14) reflects noticeably more light than Black grey (LRV 6), a difference of 7 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 24.0, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. 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 850-5 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Black grey and RAL 850-5 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
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The brightness difference is modest but present — RAL 850-5 gives the walls a little more lift.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. RAL 850-5 reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Black grey vs RAL 850-5 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black grey on one side and RAL 850-5 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.
