Charcoal Blue vs Link Gray
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Charcoal Blue reads as blue-grey, while Link Gray reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. At LRV 21 vs 6, Link Gray will read as the brighter of the two — a 15-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Charcoal Blue's cool character against Link Gray's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 28.2, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Charcoal Blue vs Link Gray in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Charcoal Blue and Link Gray in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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 Link Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Charcoal Blue 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 Link Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Charcoal Blue would.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The LRV gap is large enough that Link Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Charcoal Blue would.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that Link Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Charcoal Blue would.
Color Details
Charcoal Blue vs Link Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Charcoal Blue on one side and Link Gray 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 Charcoal Blue comparisons
See how Charcoal Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
With LRVs of 6 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 6), opening up a space where Charcoal Blue encloses it.