Sherwin-Williams Naval (SW 6244) review

What color is Naval?

Naval (SW 6244) is a deep, true navy from Sherwin-Williams and was the brand’s 2020 Color of the Year. With an LRV of 4.5 it is darker than most navies people compare it with, so it reads as a rich blue in daylight and close to black at night. Sherwin-Williams describes its undertone as a cool gray-green.

Is Naval warm or cool?

Cool. Its measured yellow–blue value is −11.0, clearly blue and noticeably bluer than Hale Navy (−7.6). It feels calm rather than icy because it is deep and slightly muted, which is why it pairs easily with warm wood, brass and cream.

Naval undertones: green or purple?

Green, slightly. Its green–red value is −1.4, on the green side of neutral, which matches Sherwin-Williams’ gray-green description. Some reviews say Naval looks purple; the numbers do not support that. What people see as purple is usually Naval beside a warm red-brown wood or under warm bulbs, where contrast pushes it toward violet.

Naval LRV and light

At LRV 4.5 Naval reflects less than 5% of the light that hits it. It needs good light to show its blue: in strong daylight it is an unmistakable navy, while in dim rooms and at night it can pass for black.

Simulated from the manufacturer's color values. Always test a sample in your own light.

Best uses for Naval

Front doors and shutters

Naval is one of the most reliable front door colors: dark enough to anchor the entry and clearly blue against white, gray, greige or red brick. Use a satin or semi-gloss exterior enamel.

Exteriors

On siding it reads as a classic deep navy with white trim. Very dark, saturated colors show fading sooner on walls with strong afternoon sun, so test it on a south or west wall first and check vinyl siding limits.

Kitchen islands and bathroom vanities

Naval works best as the accent: an island with white perimeter cabinets, or a vanity with white tile. Brass and gold hardware glow against it; polished nickel looks crisp.

Offices, libraries and dining rooms

On all four walls it makes a moody, enveloping room. It suits rooms with good light or rooms used mostly at night, where its depth is the point.

Bedrooms

A Naval headboard wall gives a calm, cocooning backdrop. Keep the other walls lighter in small bedrooms so the room does not feel closed in.

Living rooms

On one wall behind a sofa or built-ins it adds depth to a bright living room. Pair it with warm wood, cognac leather and white trim.

When to avoid Naval

Skip it on every wall of a small, north-facing room, where it will look black. It also clashes with green-leaning blue-grays, which make it look purple by contrast. If you want a softer, grayer navy that holds its color in more light, Hale Navy is the gentler choice.

Naval pros and cons

Pros

• A true, saturated navy that still reads as blue on doors and siding.
• Pairs with warm and cool whites, wood, brass and nickel.
• Timeless on exteriors, doors, islands and vanities.

Cons

• At LRV 4.5 it turns near-black in low light.
• Dark saturated paint shows sheen differences, touch-ups and dust.
• Too strong for full walls in small, dim rooms.

Best white trim for Naval

Crisp whites give the cleanest contrast: Extra White or Pure White on trim, ceilings and window frames. For a softer, traditional look, Alabaster works too. Sherwin-Williams lists the pale gray Icicle as a coordinating color, which suits a cooler scheme.

Naval color strip

Naval hex code, RGB and LRV

Sherwin-Williams lists Naval (SW 6244) as hex #2F3D4C, RGB 47, 61, 76 and LRV 4.5.

Colors that go with Naval

Its coordinating colors are the pale gray Icicle, the warm beige Ramie and the tan Roycroft Suede, which shows that Naval looks best with warm neutrals and natural textures. Greiges such as Agreeable Gray also make easy wall colors with Naval doors or cabinets.

Naval vs other navies

Naval vs Hale Navy

Hale Navy (LRV 8.36) is lighter and grayer, 5.5 apart, so it keeps its color in dimmer rooms. Naval is the deeper, bluer of the two. See Hale Navy vs Naval for rooms and pairings.

Naval vs In the Navy

In the Navy (SW 9178, LRV 3.7) is a near twin, 1.9 apart: slightly darker and a touch bluer.

Naval vs Charcoal Blue

Charcoal Blue (SW 2739, LRV 5.7) is lighter and grayer, 3.9 apart, for a navy that leans charcoal.

Naval vs Anchors Aweigh

Anchors Aweigh (SW 9179, LRV 3.4) is darker and less blue, 3.3 apart, the pick if you want navy closer to black.

Naval vs Dress Blues

Dress Blues (SW 9176, LRV 5.4) is a brighter, more saturated blue, 5.7 apart, at the top of the same strip.

Naval vs Cyberspace

Cyberspace (SW 7076, LRV 6.4) is a near-black charcoal with only a hint of blue, 6.9 apart, for when Naval feels too blue.

How to test Naval

Paint a large board with two coats and look at it at night under your normal bulbs: if it still reads blue, it will work. For a door, check it from the street in morning and afternoon. Hold Extra White and your floor or counter sample beside it, since warm wood is what makes Naval look purple.

Colors similar to Naval

In the Navy (SW 9178) is the closest Sherwin-Williams color, 1.9 apart. Benjamin Moore has no close match in our data: Hale Navy (5.5 apart) and Blue Note (5.6) are the nearest, both lighter. More dark grays and navy-grays are compared on the dark gray paint colors page.

ΔE is the CIEDE2000 color difference between the two manufacturer colors: around 1 is barely visible; 2–3 is visible when the chips sit side by side.

Naval FAQs