Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki review (SW 6150)

What color is Universal Khaki?

Universal Khaki (SW 6150) is a warm, earthy mid-tone tan: the classic khaki. Sherwin-Williams describes it as a reliable choice for common areas, and that is its strength: it hides scuffs, feels grounded and works with traditional wood and leather.

Universal Khaki undertones

It is strongly warm (yellow–blue +13.8, far above any greige on this site) with a small warm-red lean (green–red +1.6). In warm light that reads as a golden tan; in cool light it turns a muted olive-tan.

Universal Khaki LRV and light

With an LRV of 40.5 it is a true mid-tone, so it needs good light in large rooms. In small, dim rooms it can feel heavy.

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

Best uses: interior and exterior

Inside, it suits family rooms, studies and hallways with warm woods and leather. Outside, Universal Khaki is listed for exterior use and makes a classic khaki body color with white trim and a dark door; in direct sun it reads lighter and sandier.

When to avoid Universal Khaki

Avoid Universal Khaki in small, dim rooms: at LRV 40.5 it is a mid-tone and can feel heavy. It also clashes with cool gray tile and blue-white quartz, where its strong yellow (+13.8) reads as tan. For a lighter step in the same family, try Wool Skein from its strip.

Universal Khaki color strip

Wool Skein and Relaxed Khaki are lighter steps on the same strip; Urban Jungle and the bronzes below are deeper accents.

Universal Khaki hex code, RGB and LRV

Sherwin-Williams lists Universal Khaki (SW 6150) as hex #B8A992, RGB 184, 169, 146 and LRV 40.478.

Universal Khaki complementary colors

Panda White and Wool Skein are soft partners for trim and adjoining rooms; Mediterranean, a deep, muted blue-teal, is the strong complementary accent. Pair it with white, as Sherwin-Williams suggests, for a classic look.

Universal Khaki vs lighter neutrals

Universal Khaki is much deeper than the popular greiges: LRV 40.5 against Accessible Beige's 57.7 and Agreeable Gray's 60.4. If you love its color but find it too dark for a whole room, use a lighter step from its own strip, such as Relaxed Khaki or Wool Skein, on the walls and keep Universal Khaki for an accent or a lower wall.

Exterior tips

On siding it reads lighter and sandier than the chip in direct sun. Crisp white trim keeps it fresh; a dark bronze or black door adds contrast. For a full method, see our guide to choosing paint colors.

Colors similar to Universal Khaki

Portico is its closest Sherwin-Williams neighbor (ΔE 1.0). In Benjamin Moore, Pashmina is the nearest we measured, grayer and less golden.

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.

Universal Khaki FAQs