Graduation Cap
429-7DB · #2B3A40 · LRV 4 — cool blue-green tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Graduation Cap4
- 2Hidden Gem14
- 3Van Courtland Blue31
What Color Is Graduation Cap, Really?
Graduation Cap reads as a cool blue-green tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Dutch Boy 429-7DB behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Graduation Cap
Graduation Cap earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Teals add character without shouting — good for a vanity, an island or a feature wall.
How Lighting Changes Graduation Cap
At LRV 4, Graduation Cap is about as dark as paint gets — it reads near-black on a wall and reveals its character only in direct daylight or under warm bulbs. Its teal 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. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Graduation Cap 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 Dutch Boy 429-7DB 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 | Dark NightSW 6237 · Sherwin-Williams | 2.2 | 4 | Color page → |
| Behr | Night Shade740F-7 · Behr | 2.4 | 4 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Three-Piece-Suit2062-10 · Benjamin Moore | 4.4 | 6 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Pitch Cobalt5010-2 · Valspar | 2.9 | 3.8 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Dark NightHGSW 3331 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 2.2 | 4 | Color page → |
| Portola Paints | Ghost TreeGHOST TREE · Portola Paints | 1.9 | 4 | Color page → |
Similar Dutch Boy Colors
The nearest shades to Graduation Cap within Dutch Boy'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 #2B3A40 in HSL space. Pair Graduation Cap with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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