233 — Shell Grey Dark
Grays family
Anchor 233 (Shell Grey Dark) is a medium-dark, subdued gray shade with hex code #6D615E and RGB values 109, 97, 94. Below you'll find the closest Sullivans, Cosmo, and Classic Colorworks equivalents — ranked by visual color similarity — plus 8 similar Anchor shades and color harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 233
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
DMC
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar Anchor Colors to 233
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 233
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 233
Anchor threads that pair well with 233, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Grays Family
Anchor 233 in context with nearby shades from the grays color family.
About Anchor 233
Known as Shell Grey Dark, Anchor 233 is a medium-dark, subdued shade sitting in the grays family. This thread brings a somber and rich presence to projects featuring storm cloud accents or slate textures. Look for it in charts that feature rabbit fur or shading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchor 233 — what color is it?
The color of Anchor 233 is Shell Grey Dark — a medium-dark gray thread (hex #6D615E, RGB 109, 97, 94). It shows up most in castle walls and elephant motifs.
What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 233?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 233 (Shell Grey Dark) is DMC 04 (Dark Tin) with a 77% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 08 (Dark Driftwood, 76%) and DMC 07 (Driftwood, 76%).
Which Anchor threads are close to 233?
The closest Anchor threads to 233 are 399 Steel Grey Light (ΔE 5.22), 392 Beige Grey Dark (ΔE 8.57), and 903 Brown Grey Medium (ΔE 8.87). These are useful substitutes when 233 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Anchor 233 good for?
Anchor 233 (Shell Grey Dark) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring castle walls, elephant motifs, cobblestone paths, industrial designs. Its medium-dark tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 233.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 233 (Shell Grey Dark)?
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first. For reference, 233 has a contrast ratio of about 6:1 on white fabric and 3.5:1 on black. As a neutral shade, as a near-neutral, it plays quietly with almost any palette and works well as a background or shading tone.