Iron Ore Sherwin Williams: LRV, Undertones & Pairings

Few paint colors manage to be both a bold statement and a quiet neutral at the same time. Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069) does exactly that — a deep charcoal gray that reads as soft black in some lights and warm charcoal in others.

LRV: 6.0 (very dark) ·
Hex Code: #757267 ·
Undertone: Cool (blue-gray) ·
Price: Approx. $45–$75 per gallon ·
Release: Color of the Month – March 2022

Nine facts capture the essential specs of Iron Ore in one view.

What color goes best with Iron Ore?

Neutral Pairings: White, Cream, and Greige

• Iron Ore pairs exceptionally well with bright whites like SW Extra White to create contrast (Jenna Kate at Home).
• Warm whites like SW Alabaster offer a slightly softer contrast (Jenna Kate at Home).
• Greiges such as SW Agreeable Gray and SW Repose Gray coordinate naturally (Jenna Kate at Home).

Bold Accents: Navy, Forest Green, and Blush

• Deep navy and muted sage echo Iron Ore’s cool undertones (Jenna Kate at Home).
• Soft blush pink provides a surprising warm accent that lifts the darkness.
• Muted greens and blues work because they align with Iron Ore’s natural tones (Jenna Kate at Home).

Natural Materials: Wood Tones and Stone

• Warm wood tones like oak and walnut soften the coolness of Iron Ore (Jenna Kate at Home).
• Brass or matte black fixtures balance the darkness without competing (Jenna Kate at Home).
• Stone surfaces in warm grays or taupe keep the palette grounded.

The implication: choosing the right companion colors determines whether the space feels inviting or cold.

What is the undertone of Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore?

Cool vs. Warm Undertones

• Iron Ore has a predominantly cool undertone with subtle blue-gray hints (Kylie M Interiors).
• Some reviewers detect a slight green cast, especially on exteriors (Kylie M Interiors).
• Designing Vibes reports blue undertones appeared more prominent in their home (Designing Vibes).

How Undertone Changes in Natural vs. Artificial Light

• In north-facing rooms, the coolness becomes more pronounced.
• Under warm incandescent light, Iron Ore appears softer and less blue.
• In bright natural light, it can read as a warm charcoal or even deep navy (Designing Vibes).

Testing Undertones with Samplize or Paint Swatches

• Always test a large swatch on the actual wall, viewing it at different times of day.
• Samplize offers peel-and-stick samples for easy comparison.

The pattern: Iron Ore’s undertone is not fixed — it shifts with light and surroundings. Buyers should plan for this variability rather than expect a uniform charcoal.

What color is Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore?

Visual Description: Deep Charcoal Gray

• Iron Ore is a deep, dark charcoal gray, not a true black (Jenna Kate at Home).
• It appears softer and more approachable than pure black paints.

Comparison to True Black (e.g., Tricorn Black)

• SW Tricorn Black has an LRV of about 3, making it much darker and flatter.
• Iron Ore’s LRV of 6 means it reflects slightly more light, so it looks charcoal rather than pitch black.

Color Family and Hex Information

• Official hex code #757267, RGB: 117, 114, 103 (Sherwin-Williams).
• Classified in the neutral color family (Sherwin-Williams).

The catch: even though it’s not black, its low LRV means it will dominate a room if used on all walls without strong contrast.

Is Iron Ore a warm or cool color?

Temperature Classification: Cool Neutral

• Iron Ore is classified as a cool neutral due to its blue-gray undertone.
• The Color Concierge characterizes it as a warm, versatile black because of subtle green undertones (Color Concierge).

How to Determine if a Paint is Warm or Cool

• Compare the paint against a pure white card; the direction of the cast reveals warmth or coolness.
• Check the hex value: Iron Ore’s RGB (117,114,103) has slightly more green than blue, leaning neutral-cool.

Examples of Warm and Cool Palettes with Iron Ore

• Cool scheme: Iron Ore + white + steel gray + navy accents.
• Warm scheme: Iron Ore + cream + oak + brass.

The pattern: the same color can anchor opposite atmospheres depending on the accessories chosen around it.

Is Sherwin Williams Iron Ore black or grey?

Defining the Distinction: Black vs. Very Dark Gray

• Iron Ore is a very dark gray, not a black paint (Jenna Kate at Home).

Side-by-Side Comparisons with SW Tricorn Black and SW Caviar

• SW Tricorn Black (LRV ~3) reads as pure black, while Caviar (LRV ~5) is a dark charcoal close to black.
• Iron Ore at LRV 6 sits just above them, giving it more depth and character.

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and Its Role

• LRV of 6 means it reflects only 6% of light, making it one of the darkest neutrals available (Kylie M Interiors).
• In bright rooms, Iron Ore reads as charcoal; in dim light, it can appear nearly black.

What this means: treat Iron Ore as a dark neutral, not a black substitute, and plan lighting accordingly.

Specifications at a glance

Eleven data points reveal the full technical profile of Iron Ore.

The implication: the broad finish availability makes Iron Ore adaptable to almost any surface, but the dark base demands careful prep and application.

Pros & Cons of Iron Ore

The trade-off: each upside comes with a condition — versatility demands intentional pairings, and affordability requires careful selection of finish.

What we know — and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• LRV of 6.0 as per Sherwin-Williams specifications (Kylie M Interiors).
• Cool undertone with blue-gray hints (Jenna Kate at Home).
• Color of the Month for March 2022 (Sherwin-Williams).
• Popular for exterior and interior use (Paintonline.ie).

What’s unclear

• Exact hex value can vary slightly across digital displays.
• Price may fluctuate by region and retailer.
• Long-term durability on high-moisture areas (bathrooms, kitchens) is anecdotal rather than documented.
• Subtle green undertone reported by some reviewers in specific lighting conditions.

The pattern: the confirmed facts are easy to verify, but the uncertainties highlight why real-world testing beats online research.

What experts say

“Embrace the robust vibe of our March 2022 Color of the Month, Iron Ore. Bold and beautiful neutral that will work in any room.”

— Sherwin-Williams Color of the Month description

“Iron Ore SW 7069 is one of Sherwin Williams all-time most popular colours. It’s perfect for a moody, maximalist space.”

— Paintonline.ie product page

Iron Ore is not a paint that fades into the background. For DIYers, the choice is clear: go warm with wood and cream, or go cool with steel and navy — but don’t ignore the lighting. Contractors should always recommend a sample first, because the same can of paint can look completely different on a north wall versus a south wall. For homeowners, the question isn’t whether Iron Ore works — it’s whether you’re ready to commit to a color that changes with every hour of daylight.