Benjamin Moore

Universal Black

2118-10

Universal Black from Benjamin Moore is a near-black with subtle violet undertones and an LRV of 5.26, making it one of the deeper shades available while stopping short of a pure, flat black. The violet inflection becomes most apparent in direct natural light or next to true neutral blacks, giving it a slight complexity. It absorbs the majority of available light, so it requires strong artificial or natural illumination to read as anything other than solid black.

Coordinating colors include White Dove, Simply White, Kendall Charcoal, Hale Navy, and Revere Pewter for layered contrast.

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Brand

Benjamin Moore

Code

2118-10

Collection

Color Preview

Universal Black in Different Light

Light temperature is measured in Kelvin: a warm 2700K bulb pulls colors toward yellow, while 5000K daylight reads cooler and truer. Check the color at the time of day you actually use the room.

Artificial Lighting

Bedroom scene to simulate Benjamin Moore Universal Black under artificial light

Light Temperature: 2700K

Natural Lighting

Living room scene to simulate Benjamin Moore Universal Black under natural light

Light Temperature: 4500K

Technical Specifications

Undertones

Type

Pink

Strength

Very Low

Temperature

neutral

Hue Angle

300°

Purple Family

Lightness

21%

Dark

Saturation

Near Neutral

LRV

5.3

0%100%

Very Dark

Dark

Medium

Light

Very Light

White

LRV measures how much light a color reflects, from 0 (black) to 100 (pure white). Below about 50 a color needs good lighting to avoid going flat, 60 and up helps brighten a room, and most whites sit above 80.

Color Position

Saturation →

Lightness →

Color Codes

HEX

#353435

RGB Decimal

53, 52, 53

RGB Percent

20.8%, 20.4%, 20.8%

HSL

300.0, 1.0%, 20.6%

HSV

300.0, 1.9%, 20.8%

CMYK

0.0%, 1.9%, 0.0%, 79.2%

YIQ

52.4, 0.3, 0.5

XYZ

3.34, 3.47, 3.86

CIE Lab

21.84, 0.67, -0.48

CIE Luv

21.84, 0.45, -0.58

Hunter Lab

18.63, 0.40, -0.29

Decimal

3486773

Coordinating Colors and Color Palettes

Darker Shades

Monochromatic dark

Universal Black Nevermore Black Magic Caviar

Lighter Shades

Monochromatic light

Universal Black Paean Black Plum Shadow Moonlit Orchid

Complementary

Opposite on color wheel

Universal Black Limousine Leather Caviar Green Mantle

Analogous

Adjacent colors

Universal Black Black Elegance Domino Onyx

Closest Paint Matches

Cross-brand matches are close, never exact. Each brand uses different bases and sheens, so sample before you buy gallons.

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