Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

8005-12G

Bittersweet Molasses is warm charcoal pulled very dark by a brown-red undertone. It is heavy. Use it on interior doors, a fireplace surround, or base cabinets when black feels too flat.

With LRV 8, full walls need strong lighting and pale contrast. Cream trim brings out the warmth. Cool white can push it harsher. Choose a washable sheen on high-touch surfaces.

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Brand

Valspar

Code

8005-12G

Bittersweet Molasses 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 Valspar Bittersweet Molasses under artificial light

Light Temperature: 2700K

Natural Lighting

Living room scene to simulate Valspar Bittersweet Molasses under natural light

Light Temperature: 4500K

Technical Specifications

Undertones

Type

Red

Strength

Very Low

Temperature

neutral

Hue Angle

0°

Red Family

Lightness

31%

Dark

Saturation

Near Neutral

LRV

8.0

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

#534c4c

RGB Decimal

83, 76, 76

RGB Percent

32.5%, 29.8%, 29.8%

HSL

0.0, 4.4%, 31.2%

HSV

0.0, 8.4%, 32.5%

CMYK

0.0%, 8.4%, 8.4%, 67.5%

YIQ

78.1, 4.2, 1.5

XYZ

7.46, 7.53, 7.90

CIE Lab

32.98, 2.90, 1.05

CIE Luv

32.98, 3.92, 0.84

Hunter Lab

27.44, 2.01, 0.70

Decimal

5459020

Coordinating Colors and Color Palettes

Darker Shades

Monochromatic dark

Bittersweet Molasses Sarsaparilla Deep Caviar Pitch Black

Lighter Shades

Monochromatic light

Bittersweet Molasses Nature Walk Plum Smoke Quest Gray

Complementary

Opposite on color wheel

Bittersweet Molasses Nightfall Starless Sky Majestic Blue

Analogous

Adjacent colors

Bittersweet Molasses Iron Mountain Black Elegance Randolph Gray

Closest Paint Matches

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

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Behr

Instant Classic

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Behr

Berry Brown

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Behr

Black Elegance

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Sherwin Williams

Urbane Bronze

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Farrow & Ball

Tanner's Brown

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Behr

Aubergine

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Glidden

Black Elegance

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Benjamin Moore

Willow

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Benjamin Moore

Silhouette

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Benjamin Moore

Dragon's Breath

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Farrow & Ball

Mahogany

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Sherwin Williams

Perle Noir

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Valspar

Soft Panther

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Benjamin Moore

Vintage Wine

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Benjamin Moore

Chambourd

Valspar

Bittersweet Molasses

Glidden

Licorice