Color spec
| Brand | PPG / Glidden |
| Name | Ivy League |
| SKU | PPG1130-7 |
| Hex | #2A3D32 |
| RGB | 42, 61, 50 |
| HSL | 145°, 18%, 20% |
| LRV | 5 |
| Undertone | cool green tone |
| Family | Black |
What Color Is Ivy League, Really?
Ivy League (PPG1130-7) is a very dark forest green that reads almost black until light hits it. Its numbers tell the story: an LRV of 5 means it absorbs nearly all the light in a room, while a low-to-moderate green saturation keeps a clear pine-needle cast rather than a flat charcoal. In shade it looks like near-black; in a sunbeam it warms into deep green.
PPG positions it as their deep-green statement shade, a moody counterpart to lighter sages. That is why it has caught on: it delivers the drama of black with a softer, more natural undertone that feels grounded instead of stark.
It suits people who want richness without going fully black. Think a paneled study, a cabinet run, or a front door on a home that already leans traditional, cottage, or classic.
Ivy League leans cool green. With a hue near 145 and saturation around 18 percent, it sits well above the near-neutral line, so the green is real and readable rather than a hint. This is not a gray that whispers green; it is a green dark enough to pass for black in dim light.
The undertone shows most in direct sun and under bright white bulbs, where the pine cast opens up. In shadow, at night, or on a north wall, it collapses toward black and the color reads as a deep neutral.
Test it against a true black and against a mid green like Sage Brush (PPG1125-4). Next to black, Ivy League's green is obvious. Next to a lighter green, you see how dark and muted it really is. Always view a large sample on the actual wall, since the undertone swings hard with the light.
Best Rooms and Uses for Ivy League
With an LRV of 5, this is a statement and contrast color, not a whole-room lightener. On all four walls it creates a deep, enveloping room, which works beautifully in a study, dining room, powder room, or bedroom you want to feel cocooning, provided you add good lighting and lighter trim.
It is a strong pick for accents: a single feature wall, built-in bookcases, a fireplace surround, or interior doors. On cabinetry it shines, giving kitchen islands, lower cabinets, or a vanity a rich, furniture-like depth.
Outdoors, Ivy League is a natural for shutters, a front door, or the whole body of a home with crisp white trim, where its green reads as classic and settled rather than loud. On trim it can work as a dark accent against pale walls, but it is too dark for large trim runs in an already dim room.
How Lighting Changes Ivy League
At an LRV of 5, Ivy League has almost no light to give back, so lighting decides whether it looks green or black. In a north-facing room, where the light is cool and flat, it will read as a very dark, slightly cool near-black most of the day. South-facing rooms get the most sun, and that is where the green truly appears, especially midday.
East light makes it green and lively in the morning, then it deepens to black by afternoon. West rooms do the reverse, staying dark until the warm evening sun pulls the green forward.
Bulbs matter just as much. Warm 2700K light softens the green and can nudge it slightly brown. Cool 4000K or higher keeps the green crisp and true. Because so little light bounces back, add lamps or sconces if you use this on all four walls, or the room can feel like a cave after dark.
Most complaints about Ivy League 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.
TEST IT IN YOUR LIGHT →Ivy League vs Similar Colors
Starless Sky (PPG0995-7) shares the same LRV of 5, but it is a neutral charcoal-black with no green in it. Side by side, Ivy League looks unmistakably green while Starless Sky stays flat and gray. Choose Starless Sky when you want true black with no color cast, and Ivy League when you want that dark depth to carry a natural green.
Black Magic (PPG1001-7) is another near-black at LRV 5, reading as a clean, slightly cool black. It is the pick for maximum drama with zero undertone drift.
Napoleon (PPG1013-7), also LRV 5, leans blue-black instead of green. In a room with cool light, Napoleon feels crisp and nautical, while Ivy League feels warmer and more organic. If your space has wood and greenery, Ivy League ties in; if it is more modern and cool, Napoleon or Black Magic may suit better.
Colors That Go With Ivy League
For crisp contrast, pair Ivy League with Pure White (PPG1001-1), an LRV 88 white that makes clean trim, ceilings, and casing pop against the dark green. If you want a softer, warmer edge, Antique White (PPG1015-2) at LRV 78 gives a creamy trim that reads less stark.
For a second wall color or a grounding neutral, Stone Beige (PPG1024-3) at LRV 49 brings a warm, sandy mid-tone that keeps the scheme from feeling heavy. To stay in the green family with a gentle step up, Sage Brush (PPG1125-4) at LRV 33 acts as a lighter companion green for an adjoining wall or millwork.
For a low, moody accent, Forest Trail (PPG1129-7) at LRV 7 layers a second dark green nearby. Warm wood tones and brass or aged-bronze hardware also flatter Ivy League and play up its natural, earthy side.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint PPG / Glidden PPG1130-7 directly — but if you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches:
Similar PPG / Glidden colors
closest in the PPG / Glidden deckThe nearest shades to Ivy League within PPG / Glidden's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #2A3D32 in HSL space. Pair Ivy League with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
The Questions Everyone Asks
Is Ivy League more green or more black?
It is a true dark green that reads black in most rooms. The measured saturation is well above the near-neutral line, so the green is genuine, not a hint. In direct sun or under cool bulbs you clearly see the pine-green cast. In shade, at night, or on a north wall, it deepens and looks like a near-black neutral.
What trim white goes with Ivy League?
Pure White (PPG1001-1), at an LRV of 88, is a clean, bright trim white that gives sharp contrast against the dark green and makes casing and ceilings crisp. If you prefer a softer, warmer look, Antique White (PPG1015-2) at LRV 78 is a creamier option that reads less stark next to the deep green.
Does Ivy League work on cabinets and exteriors?
Yes to both. On cabinets, islands, or a vanity it gives a rich, furniture-like depth that suits kitchens and baths. Outdoors it works on shutters, a front door, or a whole home body with white trim, where the green reads classic rather than loud. Pair it with brass or bronze hardware to bring out its natural, earthy side.
What does an LRV of 5 mean for Ivy League?
LRV, or light reflectance value, runs from 0 to 100. At 5, Ivy League reflects almost no light, so it is one of the darkest shades you can paint. In practice that means it absorbs light instead of bouncing it, makes a room feel deep and enclosed, and needs added lamps or sconces so the space does not feel too dark after sunset.
How is Ivy League different from Starless Sky?
Both sit at an LRV of 5 and read very dark, but Starless Sky (PPG0995-7) is a neutral charcoal-black with no color, while Ivy League carries a clear green cast. Side by side, Ivy League looks like a dark forest green and Starless Sky stays flat and gray. Pick Starless Sky for true black, Ivy League for dark green depth.
Should I sample Ivy League before painting?
Definitely. Because its LRV is so low, this color swings hard between green and black depending on exposure and bulb color. Paint a large sample on the actual wall and check it in morning, midday, and evening light, plus under your usual bulbs. What looks green by a sunny window can read pure black on a shaded wall across the same room.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Ivy League behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY IVY LEAGUE ON YOUR ROOM →Ask a Question
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