Paint Chip Not Enough? Why LRV Matters Before You Buy
SANTA ROSA BEACH – November 01, 2026 -- Before you commit to a gallon of paint, a number printed on the chip can tell you how light or dark a color will feel on your walls. It's called light reflectance value (LRV), and a new HelloNation article draws on insights from Wendy Anguiano, an interior design expert in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, to explain how to use it.
LRV scores a color from 0 to 100 by the light it reflects
Light reflectance value measures the visible light a color reflects rather than absorbs. Lower numbers mean darker colors, and higher numbers mean lighter ones. Paint companies often list the figure on chips, fan decks, or their websites.
The article groups lighter shades at around 60 to 80, mid-tones at around 30 to 60, and deeper shades below about 30. Homeowners can use those ranges to compare options before testing them on the wall.