RAL 5004 - Black Blue
RAL 5004 (Black Blue) is a RAL Classic color with a HEX approximation of #18171C, RGB 24, 23, 28, and CMYK 14/18/0/89. It is a blue tone typically used in industrial equipment, machinery casings, architectural metalwork, and infrastructure. Its closest Pantone Solid Coated match is 532 C (Delta E 4.33), and its closest RAL neighbor is RAL 9011 (Graphite Black).
About RAL 5004
RAL blues are heavily used in industry and architecture - the family includes some of the most-recognized RAL codes (5002 Ultramarine, 5010 Gentian, 5015 Sky Blue). Deep navies and steel blues dominate because they suit metalwork and equipment casings.
RAL codes are administered by RAL gGmbH, a German quality-assurance institute. The RAL Classic library - 213 codes across nine hue families - is the standard for paint, powder-coat, and plastic finishes across Europe, and is used internationally wherever industrial color specification is required. Like every RAL code, RAL 5004 is defined by a physical paint swatch rather than a digital value; the HEX approximation #18171C is the most commonly-published reference, but physical paint chips are the only authoritative source.
Closest Pantone match
The closest Pantone Solid Coated color to RAL 5004 is 532 C (#1D1F2A), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 4.33. This is a reasonable match but you should verify against physical Pantone chips before production.
Closest RAL Classic neighbors
These RAL codes are perceptually closest to RAL 5004, sorted by Delta E 2000. Codes within the same family differ by Delta E 2-8 typically - siblings rather than duplicates.
Where RAL 5004 is used
RAL 5004 is typically specified in industrial equipment, machinery casings, architectural metalwork, and infrastructure. Its blue tone makes it appropriate wherever a technical, industrial, or nature-referencing palette is wanted. Before specifying RAL 5004 for a production run, verify the color against a physical RAL swatch under the actual lighting conditions and finish (matte, semi-gloss, gloss) that will be used - the same code looks meaningfully different across substrates.
Frequently asked questions
What is RAL 5004 in HEX?
RAL 5004 (Black Blue) has a HEX approximation of #18171C. This is the widely-published mid-range value - RAL is a physical paint standard, and different reference sources vary by 2-5% for the same code. #18171C is close to every commonly-published reference for RAL 5004.
What is RAL 5004 in RGB?
RAL 5004 converts to RGB 24, 23, 28. Its CMYK print approximation is 14/18/0/89. These values are approximations for design reference - always verify against a physical RAL swatch before production, because paint and ink reflect light very differently.
What Pantone color is closest to RAL 5004?
The closest Pantone Solid Coated match to RAL 5004 is 532 C (#1D1F2A), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 4.33. This is a reasonable match but you should verify against physical Pantone chips before production.
What RAL color is closest to RAL 5004?
The closest RAL Classic neighbors to RAL 5004 are RAL 9011 (Graphite Black, Delta E 4.2), RAL 9017 (Traffic Black, Delta E 4.4), RAL 5008 (Grey Blue, Delta E 4.8). RAL codes within the same family typically differ by Delta E 2-8 - close enough to feel like siblings, distinct enough to be visibly different on a physical swatch.
Where is RAL 5004 commonly used?
RAL 5004 is typically used in industrial equipment, machinery casings, architectural metalwork, and infrastructure. Its blue tone makes it suitable for contexts where this specific hue family carries the intended brand or safety meaning. Verify with a physical swatch under the actual lighting and finish conditions before specifying for a production run.