Color spec
| Brand | Sherwin-Williams |
| Name | Inkwell |
| SKU | SW 6992 |
| Hex | #1F2126 |
| RGB | 31, 33, 38 |
| HSL | 223°, 10%, 14% |
| LRV | 3 |
| Undertone | near-black with a faint undertone |
| Family | Black |
What Color Is Inkwell, Really?
Inkwell (SW 6992) is a near-black with a quiet blue cast. Its hue sits at 223 degrees, which is squarely in the blue range, but the saturation is only about 10 percent, so the blue never turns into an obvious navy. It reads as a deep, slightly cool black in most rooms, with the blue only surfacing in strong light or next to a warmer black.
With an LRV of 3, it absorbs nearly all the light that hits it. This is one of the darkest colors Sherwin-Williams makes, and it earns its popularity as the brand's most-specified inky blue-black, a go-to when a designer wants black that has a little more depth than a flat charcoal.
It suits homes that want drama with restraint: a moody front door, kitchen island, built-ins, or an accent wall. It works for traditional and modern rooms alike, and for anyone who likes black but finds true jet-black too hard-edged.
Inkwell's undertone is a faint blue. The hue lands at 223 degrees, a true blue direction, but at only 10 percent saturation it is close to neutral with a slight lean rather than a color you would call blue outright. In practice you see a deep black first and catch the blue second, usually where light rakes across the surface or where Inkwell meets a warmer, browner black.
The cleanest way to test the undertone is to put a sample next to a neutral or warm black. Against Tricorn Black (SW 6258, LRV 3), which is a more neutral black, Inkwell looks slightly cooler and bluer. Against a warm brown-black like Weathervane (SW 2927, LRV 2), the blue cast reads clearly. On its own on a wall, the blue is subtle, so always judge it in the actual room rather than from the chip.
Best Rooms and Uses for Inkwell
With an LRV of 3, Inkwell is a statement and contrast color, not a whole-room light color. Used on every wall in a small or low-light room it will close the space down, so most people use it where the darkness is the point: a study, powder room, or a moody bedroom with good artificial light.
It is a strong pick for accents and millwork. Kitchen islands, built-in shelving, a fireplace wall, and interior doors all take well to a color this deep. On cabinets it gives a rich, furniture-like finish, especially in a satin or semi-gloss.
Outside, Inkwell is a favorite for front doors, shutters, and whole exteriors where you want near-black with a touch of blue instead of flat black. As trim it reads as a bold outline against light walls. Pair it with clean whites so the contrast stays crisp.
How Lighting Changes Inkwell
At an LRV of 3, Inkwell reflects almost no light, so lighting changes how deep it looks more than what color it appears. In a north-facing room, where the daylight is cool and soft, the blue cast comes forward and the whole surface can feel like a soft, dense charcoal-black. South-facing rooms get strong warm light that lifts the surface slightly and can make the blue nearly disappear, reading as a straight black.
East light in the morning and west light in late afternoon both bring warmth at an angle, which tends to flatten the blue and show more of the near-black base. Bulb choice matters just as much. Warm bulbs around 2700K mute the blue and warm the color; cooler bulbs around 3500K to 4000K let the blue read. Because so little light bounces back, keep other light sources in the room so the color does not turn into a black hole after dark.
Most complaints about Inkwell 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 →Inkwell vs Similar Colors
The closest comparison is Tricorn Black (SW 6258, LRV 3). Both sit at the same LRV, so they are equally dark, but Tricorn is a more neutral black while Inkwell carries that faint blue. Choose Tricorn when you want pure, no-undertone black; choose Inkwell when you want a black with a cooler, slightly blue depth.
After the Storm (SW 9685, LRV 3) is also a blue-leaning near-black at the same LRV, but its blue is more pronounced, so it reads closer to a very dark blue than a black. If you want the blue to be clearly visible, After the Storm shows more of it; Inkwell keeps the blue quieter.
Weathervane (SW 2927, LRV 2) goes the other direction, a warm brown-black. Set beside Weathervane, Inkwell looks distinctly cooler, which is a useful pairing test if you are unsure which way your black leans.
Colors That Go With Inkwell
For trim and ceilings against Inkwell, reach for a clean white. Pure White (SW 7005, LRV 84) gives a crisp, slightly soft edge, while Extra White (SW 7006, LRV 86) is brighter and cooler if you want the sharpest contrast. Alabaster (SW 7008, LRV 82) is a warmer option that keeps the pairing from feeling stark.
For a second wall color or a broad neutral in the same room, Agreeable Gray (SW 7029, LRV 60) or Repose Gray (SW 7015, LRV 58) balance the darkness without competing. If you want to lean into the blue, Naval (SW 6244, LRV 4) is a deep blue that keeps the mood while adding a hint of color.
For an accent that shares Inkwell's depth, Urbane Bronze (SW 7048, LRV 8) brings a warm earthy contrast, and Iron Ore (SW 7069, LRV 6) offers a near-black neutral. Warm wood tones and either brass or matte black hardware both sit well against it.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Sherwin-Williams SW 6992 directly — but if you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches:
Similar Sherwin-Williams colors
closest in the Sherwin-Williams deckThe nearest shades to Inkwell 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 #1F2126 in HSL space. Pair Inkwell 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 Inkwell warm or cool?
Inkwell is cool. Its hue sits at 223 degrees in the blue range, giving it a faint blue cast, though at only about 10 percent saturation the blue is subtle. In most rooms it reads as a deep, slightly cool black. Next to a warm brown-black like Weathervane (SW 2927), its cooler blue lean becomes obvious.
Is Inkwell more blue or more black?
It is mostly black with a small amount of blue. You see a deep near-black first, then catch the blue in strong or cool light or when it sits beside a warmer black. With an LRV of 3 it reads black in most rooms, so think of it as a black with a blue undertone rather than a navy.
What white trim goes with Inkwell?
A clean white gives the best contrast. Pure White (SW 7005, LRV 84) offers a crisp edge, and Extra White (SW 7006, LRV 86) is brighter and cooler for the sharpest line. If you prefer a softer, warmer look, Alabaster (SW 7008, LRV 82) keeps the pairing from feeling too stark against such a dark color.
Does Inkwell work on cabinets and exteriors?
Yes. On cabinets and islands it gives a deep, furniture-like finish, especially in satin or semi-gloss. Outside it is a popular choice for front doors, shutters, and full exteriors when you want near-black with a hint of blue instead of flat black. Pair it with light trim so the contrast stays clean.
What does an LRV of 3 mean for Inkwell in practice?
LRV measures how much light a color reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white. At 3, Inkwell reflects almost no light and is one of the darkest colors available. It will not brighten a room, so use it as a statement or accent, and keep good lighting nearby so the surface does not turn into a dark void after sunset.
How is Inkwell different from Tricorn Black?
Both have an LRV of 3, so they are equally dark. The difference is undertone. Tricorn Black (SW 6258) is a more neutral, pure black, while Inkwell carries a faint blue cast that reads slightly cooler. Choose Tricorn for straightforward black with no lean, and Inkwell when you want a black with a little blue depth.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Inkwell behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY INKWELL ON YOUR ROOM →Ask a Question
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