Sherwin Williams Naval is a deep blue with a nuance of cool gray-green colour which brings out its richness and dramatic effect. It personifies the depth of modernism and the history of art deco. In 2020, Sherwin Williams declared Naval as the colour of the year which led this colour into a trend that is still going on. It appears to be dark because of its low reflective light.
I have a biased love for blue and I was convinced; I want it on different parts of my home as well. At first, I was unaware of the kind of variety available for blue particularly. I went from shades to shades which kind of frustrated me out. Then, I noticed a pattern of the kind of vibe I want. Finally, I locked into 2-3 similar shades with different undertones and LRV. And since I have good knowledge of LRV it was pretty easy to decide.
We are going to discuss everything you should understand and know before making a final call. We will head from basic knowledge to the difference of similar shades from Sherwin Williams Naval, the effect of LRV and where are you locking in for good 5-6 years of your life watching those painted corners of your home.
About Sherwin Williams Naval 6244
Naval is a cool sumptuous shade that knows how to attract eyes effortlessly. It works really well with the light colours and makes itself prominent. It carries the kind of drama which gives a soul to a place.
Sherwin Williams Naval is a contemporary colour that takes a will to equally dignify other complementary colours in the surrounding. It doesn’t really strike the light, mostly it depends on the access of light and how it is going to perform into your space.
| Characteristic | Details |
| Colour Name | Naval |
| Colour Code | SW 6244 |
| Brand | Sherwin Williams |
| Colour Family | Blue |
| Finish options | Flat, Satin, Gloss, and Semi- Gloss |
| HEX/ RGB | #2F3D4C / (47 / 61 / 76) |
| LRV | 4 (very low reflectivity — a deep, saturated color) |
| Undertones | Cool, with subtle gray and green undertones — not overly purple or teal |
| Description | Deep navy blue with a classic, rich tone |
| Coordinating Colours | SW 7005 Pure White, SW 7017 Dorian Gray |
| Mood/ Feel | Sophisticated, evokes confidence, stability, and serenity |
| Lighting Behaviour | Appears darker and richer in low light; under natural or bright light, its blue tones become more prominent; can look almost black at night |
| Style Compatibility | Works beautifully with modern coastal, traditional, navy-and-white classic, Art Deco, and transitional interiors; pairs well with brass, gold, or crisp white accents |
What is the Difference Between Naval and Navy ?
Sherwin Williams Naval is a deep blue with subtle gray and green undertones, whereas navy SW 9178 is saturated and has a slight green undertone with cooler base.
While these both colours are deep but still have few differences. For instance: Naval is considered as softer and modern but navy apparently appears more bolder and dramatic. Naval is more versatile and complex but navy has a clear base which makes it look sophisticated and luxe.
| Characteristic | Naval SW 6422 | In the Navy SW 9178 |
| Brand | Sherwin Williams | Sherwin Williams |
| Colour Family | Blue | Blue |
| HEX Code | #2F3D4C | #283849 |
| RGB | 47 / 61 / 76 | 40 / 56 / 73 |
| LRV | 4 | 4 |
| Undertones | Cool, with subtle gray and green undertones — slightly softer | Cool, with stronger subtle green undertone — a touch bolder |
| Mood/ Feel | Calm, classic, elegant, grounded | Dramatic, modern, bold, confident |
| Lighting behaviour | Looks almost black in dim light; blue richness shows in daylight | Appears darker and moodier; more vivid under direct light |
| Style Compatibility | Traditional, coastal, Art Deco, transitional | Contemporary, nautical, masculine, modern luxe |
| Best Pairing | Crisp whites, brass, beige, warm wood tones | White, gray, chrome, and cool neutrals |
| Finish Options | Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss | Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss |
What are the undertones of Sherwin Williams Naval ?
SW Naval 6422 is a true navy blue with the beneath of Gray and Green. This undertones prevents naval shifting to purple or become overly harsh which happens with other dark blues. Its undertones help to keep the stark away and maintain the cool classic tone with its sophistication.
Naval looks beautiful with white trims, wooden, stone and metallic accents because by the changing light, it changes the appearance; Naval may look vivid blue in direct sunlight but greyish or greenish in shadow or artificial lights. The coolness in its undertone keeps spaces a serene, relaxing and moody atmosphere.
Sherwin Williams Naval undertones can act differently across lighting conditions to make it appear as a neutral, deep and perfect backdrop accenting both modern and traditional styles. It’s a timeless blue, and adapts well to give your space a thoughtful feel.
What is the LRV of Sherwin-Williams Naval?
The higher number of LRV reflects the intensity of reflection, brightness of colour and how much percentage of light is going to be starking. The lower number of LRV means– the darkness of colour, not striking and usually absorbs the light. Sherwin Williams Naval LRV is 4 which means it’s very dark and absorbs light.
As much as undertones have their role in appearance, LRV also is a crucial part of it. Before that, understanding your vision with the value of reflection will bring. Opting the right LRV with the right colour can make your experience right on your expectations.
In any scenario, if you choose not to commit to a dark environment fully. We can look for a safer side and use the naval as accents on trims. It can be very appealing and help you balance out your environment.
My personal experience with Naval Sherwin Williams
As much as I love blue, navy blue is the “IT” colour for me. But I don’t like dark surroundings in my home for the sake of love for reading. I used Sherwin Williams Naval on trims and one backdrop wall in different rooms. I really like the touch of it everywhere in my house like a statement.
Naval balances out the brightness of white and makes a contrast. I went from one colour to another to decide what shade and finish I exactly want. After trying almost every close colour, the kind of reflective my walls already are and the warm lights makes it more serene. I needed a little blockage from all the brightness and something that speaks a pinch of ocean.
First Impression — The Depth and Feel of Naval
Trying on the similar colour of cardboard from my walls created a scenario which felt deep, drowning and a space to have a break when there’s a lot in mind. The deep sinking blue is inviting and has a personality of being mysterious.
Naval has the essence of anchoring the space with the nature of balancing its richness. Its cool hue makes it versatile with lasting elegance.
Finish and Texture — How It Affects the Look
Naval is more appreciated in satin and matte finishes from what I’ve seen. Different finishes have its own impact; Satin likes to glow softly while keeping its velvety nature hidden. It makes the look more refined and polished without any superior shine. The durability and easy to clean feature makes it well suited for cabinets and trims.
For emphasizing the depth and richness, matte finish perfectly does the job with the calm, grounded, muted and sophisticated look. The reflection it shreds is very minimal and appears to be restful.
Maintenance & Practical Experience
Satin or semi gloss is easier to maintain in general since it’s easier to clean; you just need a soft damp cloth and that’s it. But, Matte finish is not easier to clean and can get dirty easily; this also depends on the colour.
Sherwin Williams Naval won’t get visibly dirty but I will still suggest you to use matte finish on less crowded places. It can be best for ceiling, store rooms, guest rooms, bedrooms and formal dining rooms. I used Naval Sherwin Williams in exactly those places and it’s so much better.
Real-Life Observation — After Living With It
I have accent walls in Naval in almost every possible room, especially the small room is half painted in Naval because it makes them look more cozier, intimate and enveloping. Considering other rooms, it looks like a magnet putting everything together and making it meaningful.
I have questioned it almost every time I painted a new room because it’s not very common to paint dark colors onto our homes. I kid you not, I haven’t regretted a single moment till now. It has such a positive and powerful vibe that I don’t want to get rid of.
Moving on from vibe and feel, 2 coats will be more than enough with grey primer not the white one. It helps Naval to reach its true colour faster and may reduce the requirement of the number of coats. Personally, I used 2 coats to achieve that deep, velvety navy finish and looks like the wall that can hold me.
Cost, Availability & Accessibility
Sherwin Williams might be available in your local market. I would rather ask you to confirm with them over a call to avoid unnecessary struggle or visit your near Sherwin Williams store.
About the cost– It’s higher than the local paint because of the reputable branding, better quality and durability. You can check the prices on the site directly according to the respective surface, feature, finish AKA sheen, coating type and container sizes.
One thing I would assure you– it’s worth every penny. If you maintain it properly, you will not need to re-paint in over 4-5 years or more depending upon the traffic you have and the sheen you choose to use.
It’s a very concise version of what I experienced in the entire journey. It was colourful and made me learn a lot about various things, but on the top of it. It doesn’t end here. Below from here we will discuss the similar colours that can bring confusion, practical application and what complimentary colours you can use.
Comparison Between Sherwin Williams Naval and Related Shades
There’re very similar shades out there with Sherwin Williams Naval – you may find the colour which feels better to you and can go for different options. Let’s take a look into it.
Sherwin Williams Naval vs Hale Navy
These are the most popular deep blue colours with very noticeable differences. Naval is darker and more saturated which is because it looks more dramatic and richer; however Hale navy is lighter and muted that appears to be soft and less intense.
Naval looks best in east, west and north-facing rooms and Benjamin Moore Hale Navy resists washing out and appears to be deep blue even in bright sunlight.
Sherwin Williams Naval vs Navy
Naval SW 6244 has a cool gray-green undertone which gives a contemporary feel and makes it versatile to pair it up with both warm and cool accents. It creates a grounding vibe allowing colours to adapt well across different lighting conditions.
Navy is more of a classic traditional navy as compared to Naval. The Navy offers a stalwart which is more striking and bold in comparison. It can pair up with Gold, Brass or chrome in the metallics.
Sherwin Williams Naval vs Anchors Aweigh
They both are very dramatic choices for interior or exterior with a sharable darkness and LRV. Naval has grounding qualities with a stormy vibe. It appears to be gray or green depending on certain conditions.
Anchor Aweigh has slightly more pronounced green undertones which gives the fresher and bolder look. It’s a bit daring and has a vibrant tone with the maintenance of a deep classic navy.
They both are the different variations of mood and boldness.
Sherwin Williams Naval vs Salty Dog
Salty Dog is a brighter navy blue with noticeable blue tones. Its blue-green undertones heightened the intensity of blue in Salty Dog. Where we can clearly see the undertones of Naval mute the blue and enhance green or gray more.
It’s an option between saturated appearance vs punchier shade respectively. They both are equally perfect with different approaches and behave divergently in circumstances.
Sherwin Williams Naval vs Indigo Batik
We have learnt enough about Naval undertones– Green and gray. Now focusing on Indigo Batik, it has blue-violet undertones that makes it look moodier, softer and contemporary. It has a modern trendy vibe and is inspired from denim blue. It’s notably lighter and less dark because of the lower LRV.
Sherwin Williams Naval vs Dress Blues
Dress blue is clean, brighter and audacious sophistication with bold statements. It’s ideal for spaces where a strong statement, classic navy impact is wanted. It conveys elegance and energy when Naval SW 6244 has a softer presence and comfortable depth for both traditional and modern styles.
| Paint Color | Undertones | Saturation | LRV (Light Reflectance Value) | Overall Tone & Feel | Best Use & Style Tips |
| Naval (SW 6244) | Cool gray-green undertones | Rich, deep navy | 4 | Calm, sophisticated, grounded | Versatile, timeless; pairs well with white trim, brass, wood |
| Hale Navy (BM 154) | Gray undertones | Muted, classic | 8.36 | Softer, understated navy | Traditional, conservative, good for lower light rooms |
| In the Navy (SW 9178) | Slightly grayer base | Deep, subdued | Very low (deeper than Naval) | More formal, serious navy | Formal spaces, balanced with neutrals and metallics |
| Anchors Aweigh (SW 9179) | More pronounced green | Bold, vibrant | Very low | Fresher, livelier navy | Nautical and bold spaces, energetic vibe |
| Salty Dog (SW 9177) | Blue-green undertones | Bright, saturated | 5 | Punchy, youthful, electric navy | Statement walls, areas with lots of light |
| Indigo Batik (SW 7602) | Blue-violet undertones | Softer, moodier | 8 | Modern, trendy, denim-inspired | Accent walls, contemporary spaces |
| Dress Blues (SW 9176) | Neutral blue undertones | More saturated | Moderate | Dramatic, bold, sophisticated | Bedrooms, bathrooms, accent walls needing strong navy |
Sherwin Williams Naval Blue Practical Applications that You can Try
There’re numerous places where I applied to Sherwin Williams and had an amazing experience thinking all of them once at a time. I used different finishes according to the traffic, cleaning requirement, dust interaction and light effect. Have a look one by one.
Front door
It was my first investment towards a statement appealing home. I used a satin finish to clean regularly since it has the most interaction with people and dust. Naval SW 6244 shines a bit and in general looks darker. Warm light reflection gives a soft appearance of navy. The walls around it is white, which makes it stand out and look better than ever.
Cabinets
Since my almost entire home was white, I painted my kitchen cabinets in Sherwin Williams Naval with satin sheen. It looks clean and aesthetic in itself. I love how much effortlessly it just made everything better. Like I’m in a new home.
I installed new lights under my cabinets which appear Naval to be darker. I paired the antique handles of cabinets in golden metallic which compliments naval perfectly.
Bedrooms
Moving onto the bedroom, I like to read and write so I always wanted something that gives me sane thoughts and turns my rushing head into a calming one. So I painted SW naval to the entire wall facing the bed which helps me focus and make my surroundings darker to keep me on hold.
I like to use multiple lamps in my room to make it look glowy and the shine naval has is inspiring. Using white curtains was one of my best decisions.
Bathroom
This might sound crazy to you but I painted the entire bathroom with Sherwin Williams Naval. With candles and warm lights on – it looks pleasing and convincing. I used satin finish here too, since the products, water and so much goes on in the bathroom that we can never talk about. I kept the safest option instead of reapplying paint every 6-8 months.
Exterior
Sherwin Williams paints are formulated for weather resistance preventing fading to maintain its richness. Its versatility compliments the range of materials. Naval’s deep tone has a classic look especially when paired with crisp white trim, metallic accents, or warm wood details. Its refined presence creates an understated exterior.
What colours go well with Sherwin Williams Naval?
Understanding the colour dynamic with Sherwin Williams Naval is not very difficult. We can go with the different kinds of colours that bring the different vibe.
Albeit knowing exactly what we look for can be challenging, I personally preferred light and warm colours that really brings out the depth of Naval Sherwin Williams. Like, White and off-white provides bright space, contrasting effect and highlighting deep naval effect.
Warm shades like beige and greige complement Naval’s cool undertone and bring softness to it. Softer grays offer an understated background whereas warm natural woods can bring a texture and warmthness. I noticed how gold, brass, and brushed nickel accents pair beautifully with this color as they add a reflective interest to its overall appearance.
Conclusion
Sherwin Williams Naval is a cool toned colour with Gray and green undertones that usually mute the blue accent in it. However, it can appear differently depending on the lighting conditions around it. Sometimes, it may appear more as green or gray with a hint of blue, sometimes as black in dim lights.
Working with Naval SW 6244 can be satisfying if you’re open to darker shade in your home but then you can go for it. Of course, that doesn’t mean you paint almost every wall dark. You can seamlessly use this color on the trims inside and outside of your home which will give a statement to the corners.
Make your decision after using it and testing how it appears in your home. And if it gets along with your interiors then go for it. But remember that the surrounding colours also create an impact.
I hope you have got the clarity or at least understood about Sherwin Williams Naval 6244 and got what you are wishing for. Making a change can be scary and overwhelming but it can also be the best life changing decision.
FAQ
Sherwin Williams Naval darkness depends upon the kind of lighting access you have and the direction of your room facing. It can appear darker in dim lights and brighter in a good amount of light. If you wish to have a visible light shade of Naval. You might like, In the Navy SW 9178.
Naval SW 6422 doesn’t look black but may appear black at night with dim lights on. It can appear darker navy blue depending upon the brightness but its undertone tends to mute the blue.
Sherwin Williams Naval colour has a cool tone considering its green and gray undertones. You can experiment with different elements as it can be paired with both warm and cool tones.
Warm and light striking colours can create a balance and make a perfect ambience. For instance— Crisp white, Beige, Off- White, Light grey, oak, cheery, walnut, etc.
