Black
What Black Actually Looks Like
Black PM-9 is about as close to a true, neutral black as a paint can get. It carries almost no perceptible undertone, so what you see in the can is roughly what you get on the wall. It does not shift warm in afternoon sun or cool in north-facing light the way many near-blacks do. It sits in an extremely low light-reflectance range, which means it absorbs a significant amount of light and reads as a dense, grounded black. It is not the absolute darkest black available, and side by side with pitch-black options like Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black it reads very slightly lighter, but the difference is subtle in real rooms.
Black Undertones
The defining trait of PM-9 is the absence of undertone drama. Many blacks shift noticeably toward blue, green, or brown depending on light direction and time of day. PM-9 largely avoids that. In direct natural light it stays neutral. In low artificial light it reads as a flat, even black without a noticeable color cast. If you have been burned by a black that turned murky green on your cabinets or oddly purple on your front door, this color is a reliable alternative precisely because the undertone behavior is minimal and predictable.
Where Black Works Best
PM-9 works well anywhere you want a clean, unambiguous black without worrying about undertone surprises. Front doors are a proven application, where the color holds its neutrality against brick, stone, and varied siding tones. Interior trim, window frames, and cabinetry are equally strong uses. On large interior walls the very low light reflectance will make a room feel significantly smaller and more enclosed, which can be intentional in a moody library or accent wall but worth planning around in smaller spaces with limited natural light.
Where to put Black
This is one of the most reliable applications for PM-9. The neutral black holds up against a wide range of exterior palettes because it does not carry a blue or brown cast that could clash with brick or warm siding. In bright outdoor light it reads as a clean, classic black.
On flat or semi-gloss cabinetry, PM-9 reads as a grounded neutral black. Pair it with white or light stone countertops for contrast, and the lack of undertone means you do not need to worry about a brown or green cast showing up under kitchen task lighting.
Black trim has become a go-to for adding definition, and PM-9 is well suited to it. Because it does not shift warm or cool, it works alongside both warm and cool wall colors without creating an unexpected undertone conflict.
In a room with good natural light or a deliberately moody atmosphere, covering all four walls in PM-9 creates serious depth. Keep in mind the very low light reflectance. In a small room with limited windows it will feel cave-like, which may be exactly what you want or may not be, depending on your goal.
What to Pair With Black
Because PM-9 has no coordinating colors listed in our database, pairings rely on its neutral character. A true, undertone-free black plays well with almost any white or off-white trim. It also sits comfortably next to warm wood tones and natural materials without fighting for visual dominance.
Colors that clash with Black
A warm, creamy white trim next to PM-9 can create an awkward contrast where the white reads muddier than intended. Because PM-9 is a true neutral black, it does not bring warmth to soften that combination.
A north-facing room or a space with small windows that already feels dark will become significantly darker with PM-9 on the walls. The very low light reflectance absorbs rather than bounces light.
Common questions
The Benjamin Moore code is PM-9 and the LRV is 5.08, placing it in a very low reflectance range that reads as a deep, light-absorbing black in nearly all conditions.
No, they are different Benjamin Moore blacks. Black 2132-10 is a separate color in the Classic Colors line with its own LRV and formula. Benjamin Moore offers several colors with black in the name, so when ordering either one, specify the full code to make sure you get the right formula.
Very minimally. PM-9 is about as close to a neutral true black as Benjamin Moore offers. It does not shift noticeably warm or cool across light conditions, which is the main reason people reach for it when they want a predictable, drama-free black.
Tricorn Black has a lower LRV and reads as a slightly deeper, darker black. PM-9 is not dramatically lighter, but side by side the difference is visible. If absolute maximum darkness is the goal, Tricorn Black edges it out. If you want a neutral black with a touch more practicality on doors and trim, PM-9 is a solid choice.
A semi-gloss or gloss finish is the standard choice for exterior doors. It adds a bit of sheen that makes the black pop and holds up better against weather and cleaning. On interior trim, semi-gloss is also common, while a matte or eggshell finish on walls will give a flatter, more absorbed look.