Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore review (SW 7069)

What color is Iron Ore?

Iron Ore (SW 7069) is a deep charcoal that most people see as a soft black. With an LRV of 5.5 it reflects very little light, yet it is noticeably gentler than a true black such as Tricorn Black (LRV 2.8), which sits at the top of the same Sherwin-Williams strip. Sherwin-Williams describes it as a cool, deep charcoal that works best used sparingly in well-lit rooms or on exteriors.

Is Iron Ore black or gray?

Technically a very dark gray, visually a soft black. Its LRV of 5.5 is about twice that of Tricorn Black, so on a sunny wall you can see that it is charcoal. Indoors, on doors, cabinets or in a dim room, most people read it as black.

Iron Ore undertones

Measured, Iron Ore is almost perfectly neutral: a green–red value of −0.4 and a yellow–blue value of +1.2. That is far less warmth than brown-leaning darks such as Urbane Bronze (+4.1) or Black Fox (+4.7), so Iron Ore reads as charcoal rather than espresso. Next to warm wood it looks slightly cool; next to navy or blue-gray it looks slightly warm.

Iron Ore LRV and light

At LRV 5.5 Iron Ore absorbs most of the light that hits it. In north light and at dusk it reads as black; in strong sun it opens up to a visible charcoal, which is why it looks softer on a house than on a paint chip.

Simulated from the manufacturer's color values. Always test a sample in your own light.

Best uses for Iron Ore

Exteriors

Iron Ore is one of the most used dark exterior colors because sunlight lifts it to a rich charcoal instead of a flat black. It suits modern farmhouse, contemporary and craftsman homes with wood, stone or white accents. Dark siding absorbs more heat than light siding, so if your home has vinyl, check the siding maker's guidance on dark colors first.

Front doors and garage doors

A charcoal-black door gives strong contrast against white, greige or brick without the harshness of pure black, and it hides dirt well. Use a durable exterior enamel in a satin or semi-gloss finish.

Kitchen cabinets and islands

On an island or lower cabinets with white uppers, Iron Ore grounds the room. Brass and brushed nickel stand out against it; matte black hardware mostly disappears.

Accent walls, offices and powder rooms

In a well-lit room it makes a dramatic feature wall or a moody office. In a small powder room, painting walls, ceiling and trim all in Iron Ore creates a cocooning, deliberate look.

Interior doors and window trim

Charcoal interior doors and window frames are a popular way to add contrast in white rooms. Higher sheens show dust and fingerprints more on dark colors, so a satin finish is the practical middle ground.

When to avoid Iron Ore

Skip Iron Ore on the walls of small, dim rooms unless you want them to feel enclosed; at LRV 5.5 it needs good light to read as anything but black. If you want a true black, Tricorn Black (SW 6258) is darker and more neutral. If your palette is warm wood, cream and brass, a warmer dark such as Urbane Bronze sits more comfortably.

Iron Ore pros and cons

Pros

• Near-neutral, so it works with cool and warm palettes alike.
• Softer than true black on exteriors, where sun lifts it to a rich charcoal.
• Gives strong, clean contrast with white trim and windows.

Cons

• Reads as flat black in small or north-facing rooms.
• Dark exterior colors absorb heat; vinyl siding may limit how dark you can go.
• Shows dust, pet hair and sheen differences more than mid-tone colors.

Best white trim for Iron Ore

Extra White (SW 7006), one of Iron Ore's coordinating colors, gives the crispest contrast: an LRV gap of about 80 points. Pure White and Alabaster soften the edge for warmer homes; Iron Ore doors and window frames with Alabaster walls are a common pairing. For a monochrome exterior, Tricorn Black trim with Iron Ore siding keeps everything dark with a subtle step.

Iron Ore color strip

Iron Ore hex code, RGB and LRV

Sherwin-Williams lists Iron Ore (SW 7069) as hex #434341, RGB 67, 67, 65 and LRV 5.5.

Colors that go with Iron Ore

Sherwin-Williams pairs Iron Ore with Nebulous White, Extra White and the mid gray Cityscape. Warm woods, natural stone and brass add contrast to its cool neutrality.

Iron Ore vs other dark neutrals

Iron Ore vs Urbane Bronze

Urbane Bronze is lighter (8.1) and clearly warmer and browner, 5.5 apart. Our Iron Ore vs Urbane Bronze comparison covers which suits each house style.

Iron Ore vs Peppercorn

Peppercorn is a lighter, perfectly neutral charcoal (LRV 9.7), 7.4 apart; see Iron Ore vs Peppercorn.

Iron Ore vs Tricorn Black

Tricorn Black (LRV 2.8) is the true black on the same strip, 6.8 apart. Use Tricorn Black for crisp, graphic contrast and Iron Ore when black would feel too harsh.

Iron Ore vs Black Fox

Black Fox (LRV 6.7) is a touch lighter and much warmer, 4.8 apart: espresso-charcoal against Iron Ore’s neutral charcoal.

Iron Ore vs Cyberspace

Cyberspace (SW 7076, LRV 6.4) is a near-black with a blue cast, 4.8 apart. Pick it if you want a dark color that leans navy.

Which soft black is right for your room?

Choose Iron Ore for modern, mixed or cool schemes; Black Fox or Urbane Bronze for wood-heavy, warm rooms; Tricorn Black for a true black on doors and windows; Cyberspace for a hint of blue.

How to test Iron Ore

On an exterior, look at a large sample in direct sun and in shade; the gap between the two is bigger for Iron Ore than for most colors. Indoors, place a sample next to Tricorn Black and Black Fox: seeing the true black and the warm option beside it makes Iron Ore’s neutral charcoal easy to judge. Always test in the sheen you plan to use, because satin looks lighter than flat.

Colors similar to Iron Ore

The closest Benjamin Moore color is Wrought Iron (2124-10), measured 3.1 apart: close in role, visibly different side by side. In Sherwin-Williams, Armory (SW 9600) is the nearest.

ΔE is the CIEDE2000 color difference between the two manufacturer colors: around 1 is barely visible; 2–3 is visible when the chips sit side by side.

Iron Ore FAQs