Hale Navy vs Naval
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154) and Sherwin Williams Naval (SW 6244).
| Benjamin Moore Hale Navy | Sherwin Williams Naval | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | HC-154 | SW 6244 |
| Hex |
#435260
|
#344150
|
| RGB | 67, 82, 96 | 52, 65, 80 |
| LRV | 8.36 | 4 |
| Undertone | Blue-Gray | True Blue |
| Family | Navy | Navy |
| Best Rooms | Accent Wall, Office, Bedroom, Bathroom Vanity, Front Door | Accent Wall, Front Door, Powder Room, Office, Bedroom |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Hale Navy has an LRV of 8.36 (dark) and Naval has an LRV of 4 (dark). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
The navy showdown. Hale Navy (BM) is softer, grayer, and more sophisticated. Naval (SW) is bolder, more saturated, and more distinctly blue. If you want a navy that recedes and feels like a deep neutral, Hale Navy is your pick. If you want a navy that pops and makes a statement, Naval has more drama. On a front door, Naval commands attention. On a bedroom accent wall, Hale Navy sets a moodier, more relaxed tone. Both pair beautifully with white trim and brass hardware.
Hale Navy Undertones
A deep, sophisticated navy with gray undertones that keep it from reading as too bright or electric. Complex and moody.
Naval Undertones
A deep, saturated navy blue. Bolder and more distinctly blue than many navies, with less gray to soften it.
Lighting Behavior
Hale Navy: In bright natural light, the blue is more apparent. In dim or north-facing rooms, it reads as a very dark charcoal-blue. Gorgeous under warm accent lighting.
Naval: Reads as a rich, inky navy in all conditions. In direct sunlight you'll see the blue depth. In dim rooms, it approaches black. Dramatic and confident.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Hale Navy (Benjamin Moore) and Naval (Sherwin Williams) are not the same color. They're in the same family (navy), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Hale Navy has blue-gray undertones, while Naval has true blue undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Hale Navy is lighter with an LRV of 8.36, compared to Naval's LRV of 4. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Naval (the darker shade, LRV 4) on walls and Hale Navy (the lighter shade, LRV 8.36) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.