Black Magic vs RAL 870-5
Where Black Magic belongs to PPG's range, RAL 870-5 is a RAL Effect color. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. RAL 870-5 (LRV 7) reflects noticeably more light than Black Magic (LRV 4), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 3.4 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Black Magic vs RAL 870-5 in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Black Magic and RAL 870-5 are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. The distinction reads clearly at room scale, making the choice between them concrete.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. The distinction reads clearly at room scale, making the choice between them concrete.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. The distinction reads clearly at room scale, making the choice between them concrete.
Color Details
Black Magic vs RAL 870-5 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black Magic on one side and RAL 870-5 on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Black Magic comparisons
See how Black Magic stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 83 vs 4, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 4, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 4, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 27 vs 4, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
With LRVs of 4 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 55 vs 4, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
A 9-point LRV gap (13 vs 4) makes Bancha the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 44 vs 4, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
Artichoke reflects far more light (LRV 21 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 4, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 4, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 4, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Pigeon reflects far more light (LRV 51 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
A 8-point LRV gap (12 vs 4) makes Pewter Green the marginally brighter of the two.
A 4-point LRV gap (8 vs 4) makes Duck Green the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 68 vs 4, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
A 8-point LRV gap (12 vs 4) makes Vintage Vogue the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 45 vs 4, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 4), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.