Farrow & Ball

Smelt Black

No. G18

Smelt Black by Farrow & Ball is a deep near-black with a cool charcoal undertone, registering an LRV of 23.5. Despite its darkness, it reads as a rich neutral rather than a flat black, which makes it practical for accent walls, front doors, cabinetry, or exterior woodwork where depth is needed without appearing stark. The charcoal base keeps it grounded in cooler light conditions.

It pairs cleanly with All White and Wimborne White for high-contrast trim, and sits well alongside Railings, Hague Blue, and Studio Green in layered darker palettes.

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Brand

Farrow & Ball

Code

No. G18

Smelt Black in Different Light

Artificial Lighting

Bedroom scene to simulate Farrow & Ball Smelt Black under artificial light

Light Temperature: 2700K

Natural Lighting

Living room scene to simulate Farrow & Ball Smelt Black under natural light

Light Temperature: 4500K

Technical Specifications

Undertones

Type

Red

Strength

Very Low

Temperature

neutral

Hue Angle

0°

Red Family

Lightness

24%

Dark

Saturation

Near Neutral

LRV

23.5

0%100%

Very Dark

Dark

Medium

Light

Very Light

White

Color Position

Saturation →

Lightness →

Color Codes

HEX

#3C3C3C

RGB Decimal

60, 60, 60

RGB Percent

23.5%, 23.5%, 23.5%

HSL

0.0, 0.0%, 23.5%

HSV

0.0, 0.0%, 23.5%

CMYK

0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 76.5%

YIQ

60.0, -0.0, -0.0

XYZ

4.29, 4.52, 4.92

CIE Lab

25.32, 0.00, -0.00

CIE Luv

25.32, 0.00, -0.00

Hunter Lab

21.26, 0.00, -0.00

Decimal

3947580

Coordinating Colors and Color Palettes

Darker Shades

Monochromatic dark

Smelt Black Black Magic Pitch Black Noblesse Oblige

Lighter Shades

Monochromatic light

Smelt Black Gray Nature Walk Sleepy Kitten

Complementary

Opposite on color wheel

Smelt Black Starless Sky Greenblack Mayo Teal

Analogous

Adjacent colors

Smelt Black Onyx Black Elegance Black

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