Athenian Blue vs Naval
Athenian Blue (Benjamin Moore) and Naval (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Both sit in the blue family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 40-point LRV gap — 45 for Athenian Blue vs 4 for Naval — means Athenian Blue will open up a space more effectively. Where Athenian Blue leans blue, Naval reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 48.4 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Athenian Blue vs Naval Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Athenian Blue on one side and Naval on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Athenian Blue comparisons
See how Athenian Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 45), opening up a space where Athenian Blue encloses it.
At LRV 83 vs 45, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 45 vs 6, Athenian Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 45), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Athenian Blue reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 30), opening up a space where Evergreen Fog encloses it.
A 7-point LRV gap (52 vs 45) makes Mizzle the marginally brighter of the two.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 45), opening up a space where Athenian Blue encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 45, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 45 vs 27, Athenian Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 45 and 43, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
A 10-point LRV gap (55 vs 45) makes Tranquil Dawn the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 45 vs 13, Athenian Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 45 vs 44), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 45), opening up a space where Athenian Blue encloses it.
Athenian Blue reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 21), opening up a space where Artichoke encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 45, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 45, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 45, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Pigeon reads slightly lighter (LRV 51 vs 45), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 45 vs 12, Athenian Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 45 vs 8, Athenian Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 45, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Athenian Blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 41), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 45 vs 12, Athenian Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 45 vs 45), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Athenian Blue reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 31), opening up a space where Pale Green encloses it.
Athenian Blue reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.