RAL 520-5 vs Iron Ore
RAL 520-5 is a RAL Effect color while Iron Ore comes from Sherwin-Williams. At LRV 15 vs 6, RAL 520-5 will read as the brighter of the two — a 9-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. At ΔE 41.6, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions.
RAL 520-5 vs Iron Ore Color Comparison
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.
Color Details
RAL 520-5 vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
Seeing RAL 520-5 and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete. Browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall. Showing 4 room types where both colors have photos.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The LRV gap is large enough that RAL 520-5 will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Iron Ore would.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The LRV gap is large enough that RAL 520-5 will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Iron Ore would.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that RAL 520-5 will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Iron Ore would.
More RAL 520-5 comparisons
See how RAL 520-5 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Benjamin Moore

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Farrow & Ball

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Farrow & Ball

Evergreen Fog reads lighter
RAL Effect vs Sherwin-Williams

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Farrow & Ball

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Sherwin-Williams

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Sherwin-Williams

Denim Drift reads lighter
RAL Effect vs Dulux

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Dulux

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Benjamin Moore

RAL Effect vs Benjamin Moore
RAL Effect vs Benjamin Moore

Pale Green reads lighter
RAL Effect vs RAL Classic

RAL Effect vs Dulux
RAL Effect vs Dulux

Cement grey reads lighter
RAL Effect vs RAL Classic

RAL 520-5 reads lighter
RAL Effect vs RAL Classic

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Jotun

Windmill Lane reads lighter
RAL Effect vs Little Greene

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Jotun

RAL 520-5 reads lighter
RAL Effect vs Little Greene

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Jotun

RAL Effect vs Little Greene
RAL Effect vs Little Greene

RAL Effect vs Behr
RAL Effect vs Behr

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs Behr

Teton Blue reads lighter
RAL Effect vs Behr

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect

RAL 520-5 reads lighter
RAL Effect vs NCS

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs NCS

Light vs dark contrast
RAL Effect vs NCS

















