Universal Khaki
Often used for its versatile qualities, Universal Khaki remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to add character and warmth to any space. We've gathered 5 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#B8A992
LRV
40.64
Universal Khaki's Color Strip
Universal Khaki is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Relaxed Khaki and Urban Jungle. The strip spans from Wool Skein at the lightest end to Protégé Bronze at the deepest. Strip 207 lines up the full value range so you can see exactly where this color lands among its closest relatives.
Universal Khaki in Real Rooms
Universal Khaki has a medium-high LRV of 40.64 — present enough to register on the wall without making a room feel heavy. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a misc and house.
3 Misc Photos
These "miscellaneous" applications of Universal Khaki prove that there is truly no room in the house that wouldn't benefit from its sophisticated, grounded, and endlessly adaptable presence.
Staircase walls in Universal Khaki provide warm continuity throughout the home.
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Hallway trim and walls in Universal Khaki establish a cohesive neutral flow.
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Warm Universal Khaki tones envelop this intimate hallway passageway.
@ceo_dwaynemorris
2 House Photos
On the exterior, Universal Khaki holds up across all lighting conditions — crisp in full sun, rich and dimensional on overcast days. It pairs especially well with white trim, black window frames, and natural stone, giving the home a timeless, curated presence.
Board-and-batten exterior siding in Universal Khaki adds subtle texture to the facade.
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Horizontal siding in Universal Khaki brings earthy warmth to the house exterior.
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Coordinating Colors
Panda White reflects far more light (LRV 77 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
Wool Skein reflects far more light (LRV 63 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 18, Universal Khaki is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
Panda White reflects far more light (LRV 77 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 42 and 41, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 41 and 39, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
A 3-point LRV gap (41 vs 38) makes Universal Khaki the marginally brighter of the two.
Khaki Shade reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 41), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 41 and 39, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 41 and 38, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 43 vs 41), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Avenue Tan reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 41), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 41 and 38, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Favorite Tan reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 41), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Complementary Colors
Universal Khaki reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 7), opening up a space where Tarragon encloses it.
Universal Khaki reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 11), opening up a space where Rain Cloud encloses it.
Universal Khaki reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 7), opening up a space where Sea Mariner encloses it.
Starry Night reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 20, Universal Khaki is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 41 vs 28, Universal Khaki is decisively the brighter choice.
Lakeside reads slightly lighter (LRV 47 vs 41), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Lighter Colors
A 7-point LRV gap (48 vs 41) makes Versatile Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Twilight Gray reflects far more light (LRV 53 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
Pediment reflects far more light (LRV 61 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 41), opening up a space where Universal Khaki encloses it.
Whisper reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 41), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Darker Colors
Universal Khaki reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 18), opening up a space where Verde Marrón encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 27, Universal Khaki is decisively the brighter choice.
Universal Khaki reads slightly lighter (LRV 41 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Universal Khaki reads slightly lighter (LRV 41 vs 35), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Universal Khaki reads slightly lighter (LRV 41 vs 34), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.