Kendall Charcoal BM HC-166

Kendall Charcoal LRV and undertone

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) has an LRV of 14.61, placing it in the dark depth range. Its color family is Gray, and its calculated undertone is subtly warm yellow. Light reflectance value indicates how much visible light a surface reflects. With an LRV below 15, Kendall Charcoal reflects relatively little light compared with mid-tone grays and lighter neutrals. This can create stronger contrast against white trim and lighter furnishings. Its warm undertone may be more apparent beside cooler grays or under lighting that emphasizes yellow. North-facing daylight often looks cooler, whereas south-facing exposure typically provides warmer light. These differences can change how a dark gray reads across a room. Test a sample on more than one wall, and inspect it in daylight and at night. The chosen sheen also influences reflected highlights and perceived depth.

Kendall Charcoal in other brands

Sherwin-Williams Grizzle Gray (SW 7068), with an LRV of 13.0 and ΔE 1.8, is a very close measured match. Sherwin-Williams Porpoise (SW 7047), at LRV 13.0 and ΔE 3.8, is close but visibly different side by side. PPG Knight’s Armor (PPG1001-6), with an LRV of 11.0 and ΔE 4.1, falls into the similar-only range because its ΔE exceeds 4. Valspar Almost Charcoal (4008-2B), at LRV 15.93 and ΔE 5.2, is also only similar by this measurement. Larger differences appear with Valspar Flora (5004-2C), at ΔE 8.5, Behr Midnight Blue (N480-7), at ΔE 10.1, and PPG Sarsaparilla (PPG1018-7), at ΔE 11.2. In ΔE 2000 terms, values below 1 indicate near-identical colors, values from 1 to 2 indicate very close colors, and values above 4 indicate only similar colors.

Lighter and darker Benjamin Moore alternatives

Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray (HC-167), with an LRV of 18.8 and ΔE 6.3, is lighter by reflectance but only similar in measured color. It may suit a room where a dark gray is wanted with slightly more reflected light. Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain (2134-30), at LRV 10.96 and ΔE 6.2, is darker and also falls into the similar-only range. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron (2124-10), with an LRV of 8.17 and ΔE 10.4, reflects even less light and has a larger measured difference. Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (HC-168), at LRV 23.33 and ΔE 12.1, is lighter and substantially different by measurement. Kendall Charcoal occupies the middle of these dark-to-lighter options. Use lower-LRV alternatives when a deeper finish is needed, or consider a higher-LRV gray where a little more reflected light is important. Test samples beside trim and surrounding materials before painting the full surface.

Before you buy, compare a physical sample with the swatch on Benjamin Moore’s page for Kendall Charcoal.