Watermelon Red
2087-20 · #C53D46 · LRV 16 — warm red tone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Rookwood Dark Red3
- 2Rumors8
- 3Watermelon Red16
- 4Inferno22
- 5Rejuvenate30
What Color Is Watermelon Red, Really?
Watermelon Red reads as a warm red tone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Benjamin Moore 2087-20 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Watermelon Red
Watermelon Red works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Reds bring energy and appetite, classic in dining rooms and front doors.
How Lighting Changes Watermelon Red
With an LRV of 16, Watermelon Red is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its red undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Watermelon Red are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Benjamin Moore 2087-20 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Feverish PinkSW 6859 · Sherwin-Williams | 2.9 | 17 | Color page → |
| Behr | Red Jalapeno190D-6 · Behr | 3.0 | 15 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Whipped Strawberry1006-1A · Valspar | 1.5 | 16.5 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Calypso BerryPPG1185-7 · PPG / Glidden | 2.1 | 15 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Poinsettia Red05YR 15/555 · Glidden | 1.0 | 15 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Luscious Scarlet105-7DB · Dutch Boy | 3.4 | 16 | Color page → |
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
The nearest shades to Watermelon Red within Benjamin Moore's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #C53D46 in HSL space. Pair Watermelon Red with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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