318 — Steel Grey light
Grays family
Need details on DMC 318? This medium, subdued gray shade (Steel Grey light) is hex #808796, RGB 128, 135, 150. Cross-brand equivalents in Madeira, J&P Coates, and Sullivans are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby DMC shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 318
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar DMC Colors to 318
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 318
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 DMC 318
DMC threads that pair well with 318, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Grays Family
DMC 318 in context with nearby shades from the grays color family.
About DMC 318
DMC 318 (Steel Grey light) is a medium, subdued shade in the grays family. With a warm and grounded quality, this thread works beautifully in elephant motifs and cobblestone paths. You will find this color at home in patterns featuring industrial designs and wolf patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DMC 318 look like?
DMC 318 (Steel Grey light) is a medium shade in the grays family with hex #808796 and RGB 128, 135, 150. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring shading and outlines.
Which Anchor thread matches DMC 318?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 318 (Steel Grey light) is Anchor 920 (Antique Blue Medium Light) with a 88% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 976 (Blue Light, 70%) and Anchor 145 (Navy Blue Very Light, 69%).
What DMC colors are similar to 318?
The closest DMC threads to 318 are 932 Antique Blue light (ΔE 6.86), 03 Medium Tin (ΔE 7.69), and 30 Medium Light Blueberry (ΔE 9.87). These are useful substitutes when 318 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use DMC 318?
Reach for DMC 318 (Steel Grey light) when your project calls for shading, outlines, urban scenes, neutral backgrounds. Its medium character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 318.
What fabric color works best with DMC 318 (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, 318 has a contrast ratio of about 3.6:1 on white fabric and 5.8:1 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.