Sharkskin
What Sharkskin Actually Looks Like
Sharkskin reads as a dark, smoky gray with a quiet green cast running underneath. It sits on the darker end of the medium-dark range, which means it brings real weight to a room without crossing into pure charcoal or black territory. In bright daylight it leans more visibly gray-green, almost the color of weathered slate or the underside of a storm cloud. In low or north-facing light it can pull almost flat and quite close to a dark olive. The name is apt: think of that cool, slightly iridescent quality of actual shark skin, sitting somewhere between gray and muted green depending on what light hits it.
Sharkskin Undertones
The RGB values tell the story clearly. Red, green, and blue channels are almost identical, with green holding the slightest edge. That near-neutrality is why this color shifts so much depending on surroundings. In a room with warm wood tones or amber lighting, the green undertone becomes more visible by contrast. Against cool whites or blue-gray trim, it reads almost purely gray. There is no meaningful purple or blue pull, and no brown warmth to speak of.
Where Sharkskin Works Best
Sharkskin works best where you want a color that grounds a space without announcing itself loudly. It suits accent walls, exterior trim, front doors, cabinetry, and full-room applications in spaces that get reasonable natural light. Because the LRV is low, it will make a small room feel noticeably smaller and a windowless room feel cave-like, so think carefully before using it in compact bathrooms or dark hallways. On exteriors it holds up as a sophisticated neutral that reads as neither purely gray nor purely green, which is part of its appeal.
Where to put Sharkskin
On all four walls in a well-lit living room, Sharkskin creates a cocooning, composed atmosphere. Keep trim white and fabrics light to balance the low LRV, otherwise the room can feel heavy by evening.
As a cabinet color it performs well because it reads as a serious neutral rather than a trendy color. Pair with brass or unlacquered hardware to pull warmth in, or with matte black for a crisper, cooler result.
On an exterior it weathers beautifully because the muted, low-saturation tone does not fade into something unintended. It suits craftsman, colonial, and contemporary homes equally.
A good choice if you want a focused, calm workspace. The dark tone reduces visual distraction, though you will want strong task lighting since the color absorbs light rather than reflecting it.
Works well as a moody, restful backdrop, especially in a room with good window coverage. Use lighter bedding and natural linen to keep the space from feeling closed in.
What to Pair With Sharkskin
No coordinating colors are specified in our database for this color. Based on its near-neutral gray-green character, it pairs well with crisp cool whites on trim, warm off-whites that coax out the green undertone, natural wood tones, matte black hardware, and deep navy or forest green accents that let it settle as the quiet anchor rather than the statement.
You Might Also Like
Colors that clash with Sharkskin
Sharkskin's green undertone sits opposite warm reds and terracottas on the color wheel. Pairing it with brick-red upholstery or rust-toned flooring creates tension that tends to feel unresolved rather than intentional.
A very cool, blue-toned bright white on trim can make Sharkskin look slightly muddy or greenish in ways you might not want.
In a room that already lacks natural light, combining Sharkskin walls with very dark hardwood or tile floors removes almost all reflective surface from the space, and the result can feel oppressive.
Common questions
The Benjamin Moore color code is 2139-30. The precise LRV is 16.17, which confirms this is a genuinely dark color that absorbs significantly more light than it reflects. Hex and RGB values render from our color fields above.
It depends on your light. In bright natural daylight, especially in a south or west-facing room, the green undertone becomes noticeable. In dimmer or north-facing light it flattens toward a dark neutral gray. Warm incandescent or amber lighting pushes the green cast out more than cool LED lighting does.
For walls, an eggshell finish gives you a slight sheen that helps the color stay from looking flat and chalky. For cabinets and trim, a semi-gloss or satin finish is more practical for cleaning and will also give the color a bit more depth and richness.
Yes. Benjamin Moore offers Sharkskin 2139-30 in both interior and exterior lines.
Likely yes, if used on all four walls with no compensating light or pale furnishings. Its LRV is low enough that it absorbs a meaningful amount of light. In a small room, consider limiting it to a single accent wall or to architectural elements like a fireplace surround or built-ins, and keep surrounding surfaces much lighter.