Wrought Iron vs Iron Ore
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron (2124-10) and Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069).
| Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron | Sherwin Williams Iron Ore | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | 2124-10 | SW 7069 |
| Hex |
#484844
|
#524C47
|
| RGB | 72, 72, 68 | 82, 76, 71 |
| LRV | 6.16 | 6 |
| Undertone | Warm Charcoal-Green | Warm Brown-Black |
| Family | Black | Black |
| Best Rooms | Front Door, Accent Wall, Cabinets, Exterior Trim, Shutters | Front Door, Accent Wall, Exterior Trim, Cabinets, Shutters |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Wrought Iron has an LRV of 6.16 (dark) and Iron Ore has an LRV of 6 (dark). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
The dark neutral showdown. Wrought Iron (BM) is a soft black with warm green undertones, lighter than a true black. Iron Ore (SW) is warmer and browner, reading as a rich charcoal-brown. On a front door, Wrought Iron gives you a moody, sophisticated near-black. Iron Ore gives you a warmer, earthier dark neutral. Both pair beautifully with white trim, but Wrought Iron leans cooler and Iron Ore leans warmer. For exteriors, Iron Ore works better with warm stone or brick. Wrought Iron pairs better with cool gray siding.
Wrought Iron Undertones
A dark, complex near-black with warm charcoal undertones. Softer than a true black, with depth that changes with light.
Iron Ore Undertones
A warm, rich near-black with brown-charcoal undertones. The most popular dark paint color in America for good reason.
Lighting Behavior
Wrought Iron: In direct light, you can see its warm green-gray character. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. More interesting than a flat black.
Iron Ore: In bright light, the warm brown undertone is visible. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated soft black. Warmer than a true black, which gives it depth.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Wrought Iron (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin Williams) are not the same color. They're in the same family (black), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Wrought Iron has warm charcoal-green undertones, while Iron Ore has warm brown-black undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Wrought Iron is lighter with an LRV of 6.16, compared to Iron Ore's LRV of 6. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Iron Ore (the darker shade, LRV 6) on walls and Wrought Iron (the lighter shade, LRV 6.16) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.