Color spec
| Brand | Sherwin-Williams |
| Name | Black Emerald |
| SKU | SW 2936 |
| Hex | #12221D |
| RGB | 18, 34, 29 |
| HSL | 161°, 31%, 10% |
| LRV | 1 |
| Undertone | near-black with a faint undertone |
| Family | Black |
What Color Is Black Emerald, Really?
Black Emerald reads as a near-black with a faint undertone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Sherwin-Williams SW 2936 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Black Emerald
Black Emerald earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Near-blacks like this are best as contrast — doors, trim, cabinets, window frames.
How Lighting Changes Black Emerald
At LRV 1, Black Emerald 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 Black Emerald 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 →Similar Sherwin-Williams colors
closest in the Sherwin-Williams deckThe nearest shades to Black Emerald within Sherwin-Williams'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 #12221D in HSL space. Pair Black Emerald 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.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Black Emerald behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY BLACK EMERALD ON YOUR ROOM →Ask a Question
Not sure about Black Emerald in your room?
Ask Jessica below — every question gets a real reply, usually within a day.