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PMS 497 U is a Pantone PMS color specified as a deep, near-black brown with a subdued, serious presence. It conveys weight, restraint, and formality, reading as grounded, muted, and authoritative rather than decorative.

The color appears very dark, with an LRV of 3.52. It reads warm with a brown base and subtle red undertone, and its low chroma gives it a restrained appearance that can read nearly black in low lighting.

This color works well in brand-driven environments where a dark neutral is needed without using true black. Because of its very low lightness, careful surface preparation and consistent application can help avoid uneven appearance, and finish selection influences how much brown character is visible.

Similar colors:


Pantone 497 C: slightly deeper and more neutral, with less visible warmth.
Pantone 469 C: warmer and more openly brown, with higher perceived richness.
Pantone 476 C: lighter and cooler, with a softer dark brown appearance.

Product Data

About Pantone and MyPerfectColor

MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 497 U color in spray paint and other paints.

MyPerfectColor helps marketing professionals turn graphic designs into physical reality. Whether you are a manufacturer, entrepreneur, industrial designer, prototyper/modeler, marketer, agency, printer, retailer, sign manufacturer, exhibit fabricator or architect, MyPerfectColor will help you nail the PMS 497 U color and produce outstanding results.

MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 497 U color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 497 U color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 497 U Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

The Pantone PMS 497 U color may vary from the PANTONE Color Standards based on lighting conditions, angle of view and/or due to differences in pigments, manufacturing process, substrate and/or limitations in the color capability of the paint. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. Portions © Pantone LLC, 2019. Produced under License Agreement between MyPerfectColor.com and Pantone LLC.

Pantone

Frequently Asked Questions About Pantone™ PMS 497 U

Why does PMS 497 U look different on metal, plastic, and wood?

PMS 497 U is a Pantone PMS color standard, but its appearance can change depending on the material it is applied to. Substrate factors like absorption, surface texture, and reflectivity affect how the color is perceived.

For example, PMS 497 U may appear darker or flatter on an absorbent surface like wood, while looking slightly richer or smoother on metal or plastic. Because of this, Pantone PMS colors should be evaluated on the actual material used in the final build, especially when visual brand consistency matters.

If your project includes multiple materials, ordering samples for each substrate helps confirm whether the visual result is acceptable before full production.

Should I order PMS 497 U as an interior or exterior paint?

The Pantone PMS reference defines the color PMS 497 U, but it does not specify whether the paint should be interior or exterior. You should choose the paint type based on where the color will be used.

For indoor displays, exhibits, or brand installations, an interior paint is typically appropriate. For signage or branded elements exposed to weather, an exterior-rated paint is the better choice to handle UV exposure and moisture.

Selecting the correct paint type ensures the color match is applied in a product that fits the environment, without changing the Pantone color target.

When is a standard Pantone PMS match appropriate for PMS 497 U?

Ordering a standard Pantone PMS match for PMS 497 U is appropriate when the Pantone reference itself is the approved color target. This is common for brand-facing applications like displays, signage, exhibits, and marketing installations.

A standard match works well when visual alignment to the Pantone guide matters more than matching an existing painted surface. It is also suitable for prototypes and concept models where brand color accuracy is the primary goal.

For large or high-visibility projects, or when PMS 497 U will appear across multiple materials, reviewing samples under actual lighting conditions can help confirm acceptance before committing to full production.

How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 497 U?
All paint is custom-made to order. While most orders ship within 48 hours, the lead-time for paint made to match Pantone PMS 497 U depends on the type of paint needed. Interior and exterior house paints usually ship within 1 to 3 business days, while custom spray paint typically takes 3-5 business days to ship. The transit time depends on your location and the shipping method you choose. If your need is immediate, select Expedited Production during checkout. Most expedited production orders ship within 24 hours on business days. Please contact MyPerfectColor if you are concerned about a specific deadline. We do our best to make sure you get your paint on time. Learn more about paint lead times at MyPerfectColor.
Can I use the Pantone PMS 497 U for touch up?

Unfortunately, no.

Some manufacturers specify Pantone colors as touch up for their products, but Pantone does not work well as a proxy for a touch-up solution (for a litany of reasons such as it doesn't include sheen and Pantone color tolerances are not tight enough for touch up). When we match Pantone colors we are matching to a swatch in a Pantone book - not to your product.

The only way we can provide a touch-up solution for your product is for you send us a part. We would use the part to create a touch-up grade match. Unfortunately, there isn't an effective way to 'spec' the color well enough to produce a touch up without the part.

Read more about using Pantone for touch-up.

Learn more about our paint color matching service.

How do I buy paint in the Pantone PMS 497 U?
Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 497 U with no minimum order quantities. MyPerfectColor offers spray paint, paint pens, touch up bottles, water-based acrylics, epoxies, urethanes and a variety of other paints. Select the Paint Type button above to get started. Learn more about buying paint at MyPerfectColor.
How much area will one spray can cover? And what is Pantone PMS 497 U spray paint made of?

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 497 U. MyPerfectColor uses an acrylic enamel which is a fast-drying durable coating suitable for interior or exterior use. MyPerfectColor custom spray paint enables you to conveniently achieve a professional spray-smooth finish in any color in any sheen. It sticks well to most surfaces including metal, plastics, powder-coatings, cabinets and primed or previously painted wood.

The 11oz spray will cover about 20 square feet per coat. Keep in mind that it is difficult to gauge how much spray you'll need as it is highly dependent on how it is applied. It is better to have too much than run short.

How do I get the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for paint matched to Pantone PMS 497 U?
The Pantone PMS 497 U is the color and the SDS is based on the type of paint used to make the color. You can find Safety Data Sheets here for our most popular products.
Do I need a primer for Pantone PMS 497 U?
The need for primer for Pantone PMS 497 U depends on the type of paint, the substrate being painted and where it will be located. See our Primer Selection Table to see what primer you might need and learn more about when you might need a primer. Most people don't use a primer for a touch up paint application, but a primer may improve adhesion and is typically recommended for exterior applications.
How do I convert PMS 497 U to a different color from another paint company?

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 497 U in paint, we don't provide any crossover information. We've found that every paint company offers its own unique selection of colors and rarely does a color have an exact equivalent in another company's color collection, especially for a color collection like Pantone which is designed for bright colors and inks.