I was worried about these chairs looking black in person, but they are charcoal gray indeed, which I love. They are comfortable for about a 20 minute meal. The top sits right under the shoulder blades. I'd recommend them for a kitchenette or breakfast table. They were very easy to put together, which my husband was pleased with. I gave them a four out of five stars because, as suspected, these chairs are made by Costway and are much cheaper on other sites. Oh well.