Sherwin Williams Tarragon: Complete Color Review

Looking for a moody neutral paint color for your home? Let's look into Sherwin Williams Tarragon and if it might be right for your home!

I have to say, I love a dark neutral with a hint of color. Deep shades like this are bold, but they also have a timeless feel.

Tarrogon is special because it has a soft blue undertone. This adds just enough color to keep things interesting without going too bright. This makes it feel quite modern.

I also love how flexible these almost blue neutrals are. You can pair them with warm woods, crisp whites, soft linens, or even brass finishes and they all work well.

So let's take a closer look at Tarragon and see what it really does on the walls.

Tarragon, Sherwin Williams, SW 9660

Tarragon is quite the dramatic, deep neutral with a cool blue undertone. It soothing and dreamy.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Tarragon

Color Family

Tarragon is in the neutral family.

Light Reflectance Value

7

Light Reflectance Value tells you how much light a color reflects. The scale runs from 0, which is pure black, to 100, which is pure white.

With an LRV of 7, Tarragon is definitely a very dark paint color. It won't brighten a room. Instead, it creates a cozy, intimate feel.

RGB Colors

R: 66 G: 78 B: 83

RGB values show how much red, green, and blue are in the color. This mix is what gives Tarragon its cool, slightly blue cast instead of reading as a flat black.

Hex Code

#424E53

Undertones

Tarragon is a deep neutral with clear blue undertones. That blue is what keeps it from feeling muddy or brown.

With such a low LRV, Tarragon won't change too much as lighting changes throughout the day.

In south-facing rooms, where there’s more sunlight, Tarragon may look a bit brighter, making it feel a bit more inviting.

In rooms with little natural light, like north-facing spaces, Tarragon will hold its deep, dark hue. You’ll notice that it stays rich and intense.

Best Uses

I think the best use for dark paint colors like Tarragon is:

• Cozy rooms: It’s perfect for making spaces like bedrooms, living rooms, or dens feel warm and inviting.
• Focal points: Think fireplaces or built-ins. I love how this color makes these areas stand out without being overwhelming.
• Cabinets or kitchen islands: Dark colors are amazing on cabinetry.
• Accent walls: When you want depth but don’t want to commit to the whole room.
• Doors (inside or out): Painting doors in this color adds instant personality.
• Shutters and exterior: This color looks fantastic outdoors.
• Furniture: Give old furniture new life with this gorgeous, earthy shade.

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Mount Etna
• Benjamin Moore Navy Masterpiece
• Behr Evening Storm
• Sherwin Williams Big Dipper
• Benjamin Moore Lead Gray
• Behr Chimney
• Sherwin Williams Gale Force

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Tarragon

Coordinating Colors

As a deep, dark neutral, Tarragon pairs really well with many other colors. Pair it with cool neutrals (whites, grays) or warm neutrals (tans, taupes, grays).

Tarragon was included in the 2026 color palette as one of nine coordinating colors to pair with the Sherwin Williams 2026 Color of the Year, Universal Khaki, a mid-tone tan.

The other coordinating colors include White Snow, Cream and Sugar, Lemon Chiffon, Henna Shade, Dark Auburn, Limestone, Garden Gate, and Watery.

Tarragon also looks great with pops of color, such as soft greens, corals, light blues, or yellows.

Cool, bright whites:

• White Snow
• Extra White
• White Sand
• Snowbelt
• White Sail

Soft greens:

• Valleyview
• Romaine
• Bonsai Tint
• Jardin
• Relish

Corals:

• Stone Fruit
• Ravishing Coral
• Charisma
• Sockeye
• Youthful Coral

Trim Colors

With its cool blue undertone, Tarragon pairs best with crisp, bright whites for trim.

Bright white trim colors:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Tarragon

FAQs

Here are some common questions about Tarragon.

Is Sherwin Williams Tarragon warm or cool?

Tarragon is a cool paint color. It's a deep neutral with strong blue undertones that give it a calm, moody feel.

What are the undertones of Sherwin Williams Tarragon?

Sherwin Williams Tarragon is a deep, dark neutral with cool blue undertones. It can almost read like a soft inky navy in certain spaces.

What colors go with Sherwin Williams Tarragon?

Sherwin Williams Tarragon pairs well with cool neutrals like crisp whites or grays, and warmer neutrals like taupes and tans.

Tarragon was included in the 2026 color palette as one of nine coordinating colors to pair with Universal Khaki.

It also works with bolder colors like corals, yellows, greens, blues, pinks, or oranges, and looks great with finishes like brass, gold, silver, or wood tones.

What's the difference: Sherwin Williams Mount Etna vs Tarragon?

These two are very close. Mount Etna has an LRV of 6, while Tarragon sits at 7. So Mount Etna is just a touch darker.

I find Mount Etna reads a bit more blue overall. Tarragon feels slightly more neutral in comparison.

When colors are this close, the difference can be tiny on a paint chip but noticeable on a full wall. That's why I always sample both before choosing.

What's the difference: Sherwin Williams Tarragon vs Big Dipper?

Tarragon and Big Dipper are both deep neutrals with blue undertones. They look very similar at first glance.

The biggest difference is that Tarragon leans more blue. Big Dipper leans a little more green.

Both are dark, but Tarragon with an LRV of 7 is slightly lighter than Big Dipper at 6.

What's the difference: Sherwin Williams Tarragon vs Gale Force?

Both are dark and dramatic, but there are small differences. Tarragon has an LRV of 7, making it just a bit lighter than Gale Force at 6.

Gale Force reads more blue. Tarragon can lean slightly purple in certain lighting.

I always tell people that with colors this deep, lighting makes a huge impact. That's why putting both up on your own walls and living with them for a few days is the safest way to decide.

Does Sherwin Williams Tarragon go with Universal Khaki?

Yes, it does. Sherwin Williams Tarragon pairs beautifully with Universal Khaki.

Tarragon was included in the 2026 color palette as one of nine coordinating colors created to complement Sherwin Williams 2026 Color of the Year, Universal Khaki.

The cool depth of Tarragon balances the warmth of Universal Khaki in such a pretty way.

Thanks for reading!