399 — Steel Grey Light
Light Grays family#A9A0A1
Need details on Anchor 399? This medium-light, subdued light gray shade (Steel Grey Light) is hex #A9A0A1, RGB 169, 160, 161. Cross-brand equivalents in Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler, and Valdani are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby Anchor shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
About Anchor 399
Anchor Stranded Cotton Mouliné
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Sold as
- 8 m
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 399
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
DMC
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colors
Similar Anchor Colors to 399
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 399
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 399
Anchor threads that pair well with 399, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Light Grays Family
Anchor399 in context with nearby shades from the light grays color family.
About Anchor 399
Meet Anchor 399, Steel Grey Light — a subdued, medium-light thread in the light grays family. Stitchers describe its character as restrained and versatile, perfect for marble patterns and rain clouds. It blends comfortably into projects centered on mouse designs and concrete textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchor 399 — what color is it?
The color of Anchor 399 is Steel Grey Light — a medium-light light gray thread (hex #A9A0A1, RGB 169, 160, 161). It shows up most in metallic effects and winter themes.
What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 399?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 399 (Steel Grey Light) is DMC 02 (Tin) with a 73% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 453 (Shell Grey light, 68%) and DMC 05 (Light Driftwood, 65%).
Which Anchor threads are close to 399?
The closest Anchor threads to 399 are 232 Shell Grey Medium (ΔE 5.11), 235 Pewter Grey (ΔE 7.82), and 231 Shell Grey Light (ΔE 8.02). These are useful substitutes when 399 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Anchor 399 good for?
Anchor 399 (Steel Grey Light) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring metallic effects, winter themes, stone textures, fog and mist. Its medium-light tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 399.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 399 (Steel Grey Light)?
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, 399 has a contrast ratio of about 2.6:1 on white fabric and 8.2:1 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.