Cardinal works as a confident anchor color — best in rooms that can carry visual weight (dining rooms, libraries, accent walls) rather than as a whole-room palette. At LRV 8 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Because it's a fully saturated example, it lands strongest as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than the dominant whole-room color. Skip it where you want a calm, restful feel — red raises visual energy, so it fights bedrooms and small home offices.
Ref. #9D101C · 2908
Cardinal
8%LRV Value
Cardinal Technical Profile
What color is Sherwin-Williams Cardinal (2908)? It's a dark warm red — hex #9D101C, LRV 8. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Cardinal is RAL Ruby Red — a near-identical match on the wall, with Dutch Boy International Red and Benjamin Moore Heritage Red also close. With an LRV of 8, Cardinal creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Pair it with creamy off-whites like Alabaster for trim, walnut or cherry hardwoods, and brass hardware — the warmth keeps reds from feeling clinical. Deep forest green or navy work as bold accent walls. As a fully saturated example, it reads as a confident statement color — best deployed as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than a whole-room dominant. Reds intensify under 2700K-3000K warm bulbs, deepening into wine territory. Under 4000K+ cool LEDs they can read pinker or slightly washed — sample under your actual room lighting before committing. Saturated colors amplify lighting effects more than muted ones: warm bulbs deepen and enrich, cool daylight sharpens and slightly cools the same hex.
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Colors Similar to Cardinal
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Cardinal
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Cardinal
#9D101C
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A76739
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Cardinal
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Cardinal Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Sherwin-Williams Colors
Other Sherwin-Williams colors close to Cardinal.
More red colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the red family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Cardinal — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Cardinal from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Cardinal are Ruby Red by RAL (a near-identical match), International Red by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match), Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Cardinal's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Cardinal?
Cardinal has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 7.6, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Cardinal
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Cardinal depends on the room. Here's how to choose.