This is pure black, not 'espresso'. Note that the pieces are particleboard and can be flimsy. In the assembly of the desk, the part where a computer tower would go is an awkward piece to place correctly and in assembling, I ended up ripping a part of the particle board, where the shelf in the unit is. Used a drill and particle board screws to fix, but ideally would have gotten a more solid desk. I would look at a higher end desk rather than this one.