Slate
What Slate Actually Looks Like
Slate CW-700 sits squarely in the mid-tone gray range, neither light nor dark. The hex and RGB values confirm a balanced, slightly cool gray that reads as a true slate color, close to the surface of a well-worn roof tile or a calm overcast sky. It is not a pale wisp of gray, and it is not a dramatic charcoal. It lands in that dependable middle zone where a room feels grounded without feeling heavy.
Slate Undertones
The RGB values show red, green, and blue channels that are close together, with green and blue edging slightly ahead of red. That balance points toward a cool, faintly blue-green cast rather than any warm or purple lean. In strong natural light the color can read as a clean neutral gray. In lower or artificial light the cool side becomes more pronounced and the color pulls toward a muted teal-gray territory.
Where Slate Works Best
Because Slate CW-700 sits at a moderate depth, it works on walls where you want presence without closing a room down. It suits spaces that already get decent natural light. It also reads well as an exterior color, which aligns with its availability in both interior and exterior formulas. On an exterior it sits comfortably alongside natural wood trim, white trim, and dark bronze hardware.
Where to put Slate
On four walls of a living room, Slate CW-700 creates a composed, settled feeling. Keep trim bright white to give the cool gray something clean to push against, and bring in warm-toned textiles and wood furniture to balance the coolness of the walls.
In a bedroom it reads as calm and slightly moody without tipping into darkness. Pair it with soft linen bedding and warm wood nightstands. In a north-facing bedroom with limited light, test it first because the cool undertones can intensify.
Slate CW-700 is available in an exterior formula, and the color earns its name on a house exterior. It suits craftsman, colonial, and contemporary styles alike. White or creamy trim sharpens the look, and dark bronze or black hardware finishes it cleanly.
A home office benefits from the focused, no-fuss quality this color brings. It does not distract, and the moderate depth keeps the room from feeling stark. Warm desk lighting helps offset the cool lean of the walls during evening work hours.
What to Pair With Slate
No specific coordinating colors are listed in our database for this color. As a cool mid-tone gray, it pairs naturally with crisp whites, warm off-whites, deep charcoals for contrast, natural wood tones, and soft black accents.
Colors that clash with Slate
Slate CW-700 reads cool and the blue-green undertones will fight directly against warm yellows or golden tones in an adjacent room or on trim, making both colors look off.
Pairing this already cool gray with blue or blue-green trim removes contrast and the whole combination can flatten out and feel colorless.
Common questions
The LRV is 39.07, which puts it solidly in the mid-tone range. It reflects a moderate amount of light, so a small room with good natural light can handle it. A small room with only one window or north-facing exposure will feel noticeably darker, so test a large sample first.
Yes. It is available in both interior and exterior formulas, which makes it a practical choice if you want to use the same color on an exterior wall and carry it through to interior spaces like an entryway.
Yes, significantly. A flat or matte finish absorbs light and makes the color read truer and slightly softer. An eggshell or satin finish adds a small amount of reflectivity that can brighten the color in well-lit rooms but may also make the cool undertones more visible under certain lighting conditions.
The hex code is #A3A8A8. You will find the full LRV, hex, and RGB values in the color spec block on this page.