RAL 680-M vs Iron Ore
RAL 680-M (RAL Effect) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 680-M reads as blue, while Iron Ore reads as 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. A ΔE of 21.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 680-M vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 680-M 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.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
Color Details
RAL 680-M vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 680-M 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 RAL 680-M comparisons
See how RAL 680-M stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 5, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 5, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 5, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 5, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 5, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
Pewter Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Duck Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
Vintage Vogue reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 5), opening up a space where RAL 680-M encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 5, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 7 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.