Color Palettes

Behr Cracked Pepper (PPU18-01)

Behr's 2024 Color of the Year, a softened black that looks charcoal in bright light and deep and velvety at night. It adds drama without the hardness of true black. Widely used on accent walls, front doors, kitchen islands and exteriors.

Cracked Pepper · PPU18-01

Paint color names and codes are trademarks of their respective owners (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr); this site is not affiliated with them. The hex value is a digital approximation: the real paint looks different depending on light, sheen and your screen, so always test a physical sample on your wall before you buy.

Undertones and where to use it

Undertone: Soft black with a cool gray cast.

Where to use it: Accent wall, front door, kitchen island.

Trim: Cracked Pepper pairs well with Swiss Coffee 12 for trim, doors and ceilings.

Coordinating colors

Behr colors that work with Cracked Pepper on walls, trim and accents.

Swiss Coffee 12#F1EDE0Blank Canvas DC-003#F1EDE1Silver Drop 790C-2#DDDACFWheat Bread 720C-3#CDC4B7

Similar colors from other brands

The closest matches to Cracked Pepper from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, by digital color value. ΔE measures the visible difference: under 2 is barely noticeable.

Wrought Iron 2124-10Benjamin Moore · #494A4B · ΔE 2.9, very closeIron Mountain 2134-30Benjamin Moore · #575553 · ΔE 3.2, very closePeppercorn SW 7674Sherwin-Williams · #585858 · ΔE 3.3, very closeRock Bottom SW 7062Sherwin-Williams · #484C49 · ΔE 3.6, very close

Cracked Pepper lighter and darker tones

From lightest to darkest. Tap a shade to copy its code.

Color palettes with Cracked Pepper

Copy the codes or open a palette in the editor to tweak it.

Monochromatic palette · Cracked Pepper
Analogous palette · Cracked Pepper
Complementary palette · Cracked Pepper
Triadic palette · Cracked Pepper
With neutrals palette · Cracked Pepper
With an accent palette · Cracked Pepper

Colors similar to Cracked Pepper

Dark grayGraphiteGunmetal grayOxford grayCharcoal grayBlack oliveOnyxDove grayDark slate grayLead gray

More Behr blacks

Broadway PPU18-20Limousine Leather MQ5-05Carbon N520-7Blackout N510-7Black Mocha PPU24-01Little Black Dress PPU24-23Poppy Seed PPU15-20Space Black N460-7

Frequently asked questions

What is the hex code for Behr Cracked Pepper?

The digital hex value for Behr Cracked Pepper (PPU18-01) is #4F5152, which is rgb(79, 81, 82). Use it for mockups and digital design; a physical sample is the only reliable way to judge the paint itself.

What is the LRV of Cracked Pepper?

We have not confirmed a published LRV for Behr Cracked Pepper, so we do not list one. You can find it on the back of the paint chip or on Behr’s website.

Is Cracked Pepper warm or cool?

Cracked Pepper has a soft black with a cool gray cast undertone. By its digital value it sits on a fairly neutral middle, but north-facing light will cool it down and warm bulbs will warm it up, so test a sample in the room where you plan to use it.

What is the Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Cracked Pepper?

The closest Sherwin-Williams color to Behr Cracked Pepper is Peppercorn (SW 7674, #585858), which is very close by digital value (ΔE 3.3). Paint formulas differ, so color-matched versions are never exact: compare physical samples side by side.

What is the Benjamin Moore equivalent of Cracked Pepper?

The closest Benjamin Moore color to Behr Cracked Pepper is Wrought Iron (2124-10, #494A4B), which is very close by digital value (ΔE 2.9). Paint formulas differ, so color-matched versions are never exact: compare physical samples side by side.