Pompeii Red 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 6 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. #940000 · 2911
Pompeii Red
6%LRV Value
Pompeii Red Technical Profile
What color is Sherwin-Williams Pompeii Red (2911)? It's a dark warm red — hex #940000, LRV 6. With an LRV of 6, Pompeii Red 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 Pompeii Red
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Pompeii Red
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Pompeii Red
#940000
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9F6428
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Pompeii Red
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Pompeii Red 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 Pompeii Red.
More red colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the red family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Pompeii Red — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Pompeii Red from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Pompeii Red are Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore (a very close match), Tomato Red by RAL (a very close match), Signal Red by RAL (a close 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 Pompeii Red'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 Pompeii Red?
Pompeii Red has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 6.3, 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 Pompeii Red
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 Pompeii Red depends on the room. Here's how to choose.