Sherwin-Williams Naval vs Benjamin Moore Hale Navy: The Definitive Navy Blue Comparison

If you're choosing a navy blue paint in 2026, you are almost certainly choosing between Sherwin-Williams Naval (SW 6244) and Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154). Both top designer shortlists, both earn consistent praise, and both are available at virtually every paint counter in the US. They are not the same color. Naval is a deep, saturated true navy — the darker, more chromatic of the two. Hale Navy is a sophisticated blue-grey with substantially more lightness and less saturation, reading more as a 'serious gray-blue' than a classic navy. The gap between them — 4 LRV points and 12 percentage points of saturation — is the entire reason one or the other will work better in your specific room. Here's how to choose.

Side-by-Side at a Glance

The one-sentence version: Naval is the dramatic, committed navy that swallows light. Hale Navy is the sophisticated blue-grey that reads as navy in context but is actually quite restrained. If you want walls or cabinets to feel bold and definitively navy, choose Naval. If you want a color that reads as navy without the dramatic depth — something that still works with greys and browns — Hale Navy is the safer call.

Naval (SW 6244) — The Deep, Saturated True Navy

Naval's defining characteristic is depth. With an LRV of just 4, it is one of the darkest colors in Sherwin-Williams' entire catalog — it absorbs over 95% of incident light. The hue angle of 211° places it firmly in the blue family (slightly greenish-blue rather than pure blue), and the saturation at 24% HSL is high for a dark color. What that means in practice: Naval reads as a real, committed navy blue rather than a washed-out version of one. In north-facing rooms it stays cool and can feel dramatic; in south-facing rooms with warm light it can pick up a slight teal quality; under warm 2700K LED it desaturates slightly but holds its navy character. Naval was Sherwin-Williams' 2022 Colormix Color of the Year and consistently appears in their Top 50 list — which is significant because the Top 50 are driven by actual sales data, not designer hype. If Naval is selling at volume, it is being put on real walls in real homes and producing results people are happy with.

Hale Navy (BM HC-154) — The Sophisticated Blue-Grey

Hale Navy belongs to Benjamin Moore's Historical Colors collection, which immediately signals its character — it is a more restrained, sophisticated shade than a modern saturated navy. At LRV 8 it reflects roughly twice the light of Naval, and at HSL saturation of 12% it carries half the chromatic intensity. The hue (215°) is almost identical to Naval, so both colors point in the same blue direction. The key difference is that Hale Navy's lower saturation desaturates the color toward a blue-grey, while Naval's higher saturation keeps it firmly in navy territory. In well-lit rooms, Hale Navy can read almost as a dark grey with blue leanings — which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you want from your space. The lighter LRV also means Hale Navy is more forgiving in smaller rooms and more adaptable to different trim options. Benjamin Moore classifies it as a bestseller, and it is a perennial fixture on every 'best navy paint' list — not because it is the darkest or most dramatic navy, but because it is the most versatile.

Direct Comparison: The Numbers

LRV: Naval 4, Hale Navy 8 — Hale Navy reflects twice as much light, which is a substantial perceived difference in real rooms. Hue: Naval 211°, Hale Navy 215° — nearly identical; both are cool blue-leaning. Saturation (HSL): Naval 24%, Hale Navy 12% — Naval carries double the chromatic intensity, making it read as a richer, more committed navy. Lightness (HSL): Naval 24%, Hale Navy 30%. Hex: Naval #2F3D4C, Hale Navy #434B56. Undertone classification: both are cool blue, but Naval skews slightly more blue while Hale Navy skews more blue-grey. The deltaE between the two is approximately 7–8 — enough that they are clearly different colors in a side-by-side comparison, even though they share the same identity as 'navy blue.' Both brands recommend Extra White (SW) or White Dove (BM) as trim companions for their respective navies.

Lighting Behavior: How Each Color Shifts

Naval under different light: in south-facing direct sunlight it reads as a deep, slightly teal-blue navy; under warm 2700K LED the teal quality diminishes and it reads as a pure dark navy; under north-facing daylight it shows its cool undertone strongly and can feel dramatic; under 4000K LED it reads as a clean, crisp navy without warm or cool shift. The LRV of 4 means very little light reaches your eyes from Naval walls, which is the source of its dramatic quality. Hale Navy under different light: south-facing direct sunlight reveals the blue undertone clearly and warms the grey component slightly; under warm 2700K LED the color can shift toward a warm blue-grey and the 'navy' reading softens; under north-facing daylight it reads as a clear, cool blue-grey; under 4000K LED it shows its most balanced, sophisticated character. Hale Navy is more lighting-stable than Naval because the lower saturation is less sensitive to the color temperature of your light source.

Which One for Which Room?

Living rooms

Naval works dramatically in large living rooms or as an accent wall, particularly when paired with white trim and natural wood. Its depth creates an enveloping, library-like quality. However, in an average-sized living room with average light it can read as heavy if used on all four walls. Hale Navy is the safer full-room living room choice — its higher LRV keeps the room from feeling cave-like while still delivering the navy statement. If you have high ceilings, abundant windows, or love dramatic interiors, Naval all-walls works beautifully; for most standard living rooms, Hale Navy gives you more flexibility.

Bedrooms

Both navies work in bedrooms, and this is where personal preference becomes the deciding factor. Naval in a bedroom creates a truly enveloping, cocoon-like atmosphere that many people find deeply restful. Hale Navy creates a more upscale-hotel feeling — a confident dark tone without the total light absorption of Naval. A general rule: if you want to feel like you are sleeping inside a color, choose Naval. If you want a sophisticated bedroom that still has some lightness when you open the curtains in the morning, choose Hale Navy.

Kitchen cabinets

Navy kitchen cabinets are one of the most popular ways to use both colors, and this is where the differences matter most. Naval on lower cabinets with white uppers creates a high-contrast, dramatic kitchen — the LRV 4 against white countertops and uppers makes the navy pop. Hale Navy on all cabinets (upper and lower) is a more common designer choice because the lighter LRV means the kitchen doesn't feel weighted down even when the navy surrounds the space. Hale Navy pairs particularly well with brass hardware and warm stone countertops, where its blue-grey character bridges warm and cool. Naval pairs best with polished nickel or matte black hardware and white or marble countertops for maximum contrast.

Exterior applications

Both colors are approved for exterior use, and navy exteriors are one of the defining color trends of the 2020s. Naval on an exterior reads as a true, deep navy that photographs exceptionally well — it is a bold choice that makes a strong statement from the curb. Hale Navy on an exterior reads as a more classic, traditional navy that works with a wider range of architectural styles and trim colors. Naval tends to fade slightly faster on south-facing exteriors due to UV exposure (higher saturation colors absorb more UV). Both require a good exterior primer and satin or semi-gloss finish for durability.

Bathrooms

Naval is a striking bathroom choice when the bathroom has adequate light (a window, good task lighting) — it creates a dramatic, spa-like atmosphere especially against white tile. In a small, windowless bathroom it can feel very claustrophobic. Hale Navy's higher LRV makes it much more manageable in smaller bathrooms — it provides the navy mood without the full light absorption. For powder rooms and half baths where you want drama, Naval is excellent. For primary bathrooms where you want the space to feel functional and livable, Hale Navy is safer.

Trim, Hardware, and Coordinating Colors

Both navies coordinate with the same family of trim and accent colors, though each has its particular sweet spots. For Naval: Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006, LRV 86) is the go-to trim companion — the 82-point LRV contrast creates a crisp, architectural look that modern interiors expect. Antique White (SW 6119) or Shoji White (SW 7042) provide a softer, more traditional contrast. For Hale Navy: Benjamin Moore's Wedding Veil (2125-70, LRV 84) or White Dove (OC-17, LRV 83) are the natural pairings from the same brand family. Wedding Veil has a very slight cool undertone that actually flatters Hale Navy's blue-grey character better than a pure warm white. Hardware: both navies work with polished nickel, matte black, and brushed brass — each combination creates a different personality. Brass with either navy is warm and traditional. Matte black with either navy is modern and graphic. Polished nickel with either navy is clean and transitional.

When Neither Is Right: Alternatives to Consider

If Naval feels too dark: the first step up is Hale Navy itself (if you are open to switching brands) or Sherwin-Williams Sea Mariner (SW 9640, LRV 7), which is almost visually identical to Hale Navy and gives you Hale Navy's character without crossing brands. If Hale Navy feels too muted or grey: Naval is the natural step down in LRV, or consider Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156), which has a slightly higher saturation than Hale Navy while keeping the LRV range similar. If you want a navy that still qualifies as 'medium' rather than 'dark': look at Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue (HC-155) or Sherwin-Williams Krypton (SW 6247) — both read as navy but at LRVs in the 10–14 range. If you want something warmer than either: SW Anchors Aweigh (SW 9179) or BM Navy Blue (2065-10) both shift the hue toward a warmer, less grey interpretation of navy.

Frequently Asked Questions