How does Smelt Black by Farrow & Ball compare with Crown’s closest paints? The nearest match by perceptual distance is Crown Rebel (ΔE 1.0, “identical”). 2 more Crown colours sit within ΔE 4 — close enough that the difference is hard to spot once paint’s on the wall. Prices for these 2 Crown paints range from £8.20 to £20.40 per litre, against Farrow & Ball Smelt Black at £25.60/L.
Farrow & Ball Smelt Black vs Crown
3 closest Crown matches ranked by ΔE
ΔE (CIEDE2000) is a perceptual distance metric — lower means a closer match. Matches under ΔE 2 are typically indistinguishable; ΔE 2–4 looks “the same” once dry on a wall; ΔE 4–6 is noticeable side-by-side. Always view a sample pot before committing — screen colours and lighting vary.
| Colour | Number | ΔE | Match quality | Price/L | Price/m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebel | — | 1.0 | identical | £8.20 | £1.37 |
| Jet Black | — | 1.0 | identical | — | — |
| Black | — | 1.0 | identical | £20.40 | £3.40 |