In the Navy vs Naval: The Comparison That Actually Helps You Decide
In the Navy and Naval are separated by almost nothing on the LRV scale and by a quiet, consistent margin on the wall. Both are Sherwin-Williams deep navies with an LRV of roughly 4. Both swallow light. The difference sits in the blue itself: In the Navy is deeper and more saturated, while Naval is softer and greyer.
I have used both across residential projects, and the choice is rarely about taste alone. It comes down to how much blue the room can carry. In the Navy commits to a clean, inky blue. Naval holds back into steel. Put a large sample of each on the same wall and the gap shows within minutes.
This guide covers undertones, light direction, cabinets, walls, trim pairings and a clear verdict, plus the one light test I run before any navy goes on a wall.
At a Glance
| In the Navy | Naval |
Brand | Sherwin-Williams | Sherwin-Williams |
LRV | ~4 - very dark. Marginally deeper than Naval, but the real gap is saturation, not reflectance | ~4 - equally dark, with the softer, greyer blue reading a shade lighter |
Colour category | Saturated deep navy - reads as blue first, dark second | Muted deep navy - reads as steel-blue, dark second |
Undertones | Clean, cool blue with very little grey; the saturation stays visible in good light | Cool blue with a visible grey cast that softens the saturation |
Character | Crisp, tailored and high-contrast; the navy that looks deliberate against white joinery | Traditional, settled and versatile; the navy that blends into a scheme rather than interrupting it |
North-facing | Deepens quickly toward near-black in weak light; the blue only returns under lamps or direct daylight | More forgiving - the grey in the blue keeps it reading navy, not black, when light is poor |
South-facing | Excellent - strong light unlocks the saturated blue and gives the wall real depth | Soft and composed - strong light flatters the steel quality without intensifying the blue |
Open-plan | Best contained to one feature wall or a joinery run; across a large zone it can overwhelm | Easier across a wider zone because the grey softens the visual weight |
On walls | Dramatic, enveloping blue backdrop; rooms with generous daylight and pale furnishings carry it best | Rich but calmer backdrop; sits easily beside natural wood and linen without hard edges |
On cabinets | Sharp, contemporary result against white or stone worktops; shows marks more readily than Naval | The more forgiving cabinet colour, especially with warm wood, brass and aged finishes |
Use together? | Rarely - beside Naval it reads as a mismatch, not a layered scheme; commit to one | Rarely - the two are too close to layer; for depth, pair Naval with a lighter blue or warm neutral instead |
Trim for each | Extra White SW 7006 or Pure White SW 7005 for crisp contrast; Alabaster SW 7008 for a softer edge | Pure White SW 7005 or Extra White SW 7006 for crisp contrast; Alabaster SW 7008 for warmth |
Style fit | Contemporary, modern traditional, tailored coastal | Traditional, transitional, period homes, classic coastal |
Architect's pick | When the room has strong daylight and the brief is a confident, saturated navy with clear definition | When light is mixed or limited and the navy needs to sit comfortably among warm materials |
Sherwin-Williams In the Navy SW 9178 - What It Really Looks Like
In the Navy has an LRV of approximately 4, which puts it firmly in the very-dark category. The number tells you it absorbs nearly everything. It does not tell you what blue you get back. That is where this colour earns its place. The blue is clean and saturated, with very little grey in the mix.
It reads as blue first and dark second. Under direct daylight the saturation shows and the wall looks tailored and intentional. In weak light it deepens fast. Without a window or a lamp nearby, the blue can slip toward ink. There is nothing subtle about it.
For the full single-colour picture, including how In the Navy behaves on doors, cabinetry and full rooms, the Sherwin-Williams In the Navy review is worth reading before you commit to a large area, because it covers a wider range of rooms than this comparison can.
Sherwin-Williams Naval SW 6244 - What It Really Looks Like
Naval has an LRV of approximately 4, the same very-dark band as In the Navy. On paper they are twins. On the wall, Naval is the softer of the two. A visible grey cast sits inside the blue and takes the edge off the saturation.
Naval reads as steel-blue rather than pure navy. That grey quality keeps it settled and traditional, and it sits easily beside timber, linen and brass. In poor light it holds its blue where In the Navy tips toward black. It does not shout.
If you are leaning toward the softer option, the Sherwin-Williams Naval review goes deeper on how Naval behaves across finishes, rooms and light directions, which is worth reading before you order samples.
The Real Difference Between In the Navy and Naval
The simplest way to put it: In the Navy is a navy with the saturation turned up. Naval is a navy with the grey left in. Same depth. Different temperament.
Because the LRV gap is a fraction of a point, reflectance is not the deciding factor here. Both colours absorb almost all the light that reaches them. What separates them is how much pure blue each one returns. In the Navy returns more. Naval returns a calmer, greyer version. That is the whole comparison, and it is enough.
Both navies need a clean white to look sharp. Extra White SW 7006 or Pure White SW 7005 gives the crispest line against either one, while Alabaster SW 7008 softens the edge in a warmer scheme. Avoid yellow-leaning whites, which pull against the cool blue. If you are also weighing Naval against a Benjamin Moore navy, the Naval vs Hale Navy guide shows how the cross-brand alternative changes the depth and the trim decision.
Not sure which one is right for your room? A Color Direction consultation gets you a full custom palette built around your space - book yours here. |
When to Choose In the Navy
Choose In the Navy when the room has strong daylight and you want a saturated, confident navy with crisp definition. Conditions where it is the right answer: south or west facing rooms where the light brings the blue forward. Feature walls, built-in joinery and front doors where the colour is a deliberate statement. Contemporary and modern traditional interiors with white trim and pale stone. Rooms where you want contrast, not softness.
Avoid In the Navy in dim, north-facing rooms. It tips toward black there, and the saturation that makes it special disappears. Avoid it across large open-plan areas, where the weight becomes heavy. It does not forgive poor light.
When to Choose Naval
Choose Naval when light is mixed and the room is built around warm, natural materials. Conditions where it is the right answer: north or east facing rooms where In the Navy would turn black. Kitchens with warm wood, brass and aged hardware. Period and transitional homes where the navy should feel settled, not graphic. Larger or open-plan spaces where a softer blue carries the weight more easily.
Avoid Naval when you want maximum saturation. Beside crisp white joinery in strong light, it can read slightly flat next to a truer navy. If the brief is bold and graphic, it will feel restrained. That is its strength and its limit.
How the Pairings Differ
For In the Navy on walls, Extra White or Pure White trim gives the sharpest result. The contrast is graphic and clean. Add natural oak or pale stone so the saturated blue has somewhere to rest.
For Naval on walls, Alabaster or Pure White trim both work. The grey in the blue welcomes a warmer white without clashing. Walnut, linen and aged brass sit comfortably beside it.
For flooring, both navies suit pale oak, limestone and mid-tone timber. In the Navy needs the lighter floor more, because a dark floor against a dark saturated wall merges into one heavy mass. Naval tolerates deeper wood tones.
For hardware, brushed brass and aged gold lift both colours. Polished nickel suits In the Navy for a cool, tailored look. Matt black disappears into either one, so use it sparingly.
Architect's Verdict - In the Navy or Naval?
Both colours are excellent. The real question is how much blue the room can carry.
Choose In the Navy for strong daylight and a confident, saturated result. On a south-facing wall, a run of joinery or a front door, it has a presence Naval does not match. It is the sharper, more graphic choice.
Choose Naval for mixed light and warm, layered rooms. The grey in the blue keeps it readable when light is weak and easy to live with among natural materials. It is the safer navy. In most family homes, it is also the better one.
The test I always use: paint an A2-sized patch of each in the darkest corner of the room, side by side. Check them at 4pm on an overcast afternoon, then again at 8pm under your normal lamps. If In the Navy still reads clearly blue at 4pm, use it. If it has slipped to near-black, switch to Naval. Naval passes when it still looks like navy and not flat grey in the same light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is In the Navy darker than Naval?
Marginally, yes - but the LRV gap is under a point. Both sit at roughly LRV 4. In the Navy looks deeper because its blue is more saturated, while Naval's grey cast makes it read slightly lighter and softer.
Which is better for kitchen cabinets?
Naval is the more forgiving choice for most kitchens. It sits well with warm wood, brass and aged finishes. In the Navy gives a sharper, more contemporary result against white or stone worktops, but needs good light. Always test in your actual kitchen before committing.
Which is better for a north-facing room?
Naval holds up better. Its grey cast keeps it reading as navy in weak light, where In the Navy can slip toward black. If you want In the Navy in a north-facing room, plan for warm lamps and test carefully.
Can I use In the Navy and Naval in the same room?
You can, but it rarely works. They are close enough in depth that side by side they look like a mistake, not a layered scheme. Commit to one, and add contrast with a lighter blue or a warm neutral.
What trim colour goes with In the Navy and Naval?
Extra White SW 7006 or Pure White SW 7005 gives the crispest result with both. Alabaster SW 7008 is the softer, warmer option and suits Naval especially well. Avoid yellow-leaning whites against either blue.
What is the LRV of In the Navy vs Naval?
Both have an LRV of approximately 4. The difference is negligible in practice. Both absorb nearly all light, so the real distinction is saturation, not reflectance.
Final Thought
In the Navy and Naval are both excellent deep navies, and the choice comes down to saturation. Neither is wrong. They suit different rooms.
If your light is strong and you want a crisp, saturated navy, choose In the Navy. If your light is mixed or your materials are warm, choose Naval. Buy sample pots of both, paint large patches side by side, and check them in the morning, mid-afternoon and evening. The darker hours will settle it.
Want a complete colour scheme built around In the Navy or Naval? Our design packages cover full palette selection, finish recommendations, and 3D visualisations - see our packages. |
About the Author
Beril Yilmaz is a qualified architect and interior designer based in the UK. She runs BY Design And Viz, a design platform covering paint colour reviews, interior design guidance, and residential design projects. Beril has specified both In the Navy and Naval across residential projects in the UK and internationally — In the Navy on joinery and feature walls in daylight-rich rooms, Naval in period and transitional rooms with warm timber and mixed light, often alongside Extra White trim.
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