The black is just a dark navy blue. Certainly darker than the official navy blue version of the chair that is offered as well, but it's still blue.  If the chair is in bright light and/or next to anything else that is actually black, it is so obviously a deep navy blue. It clashes terribly with the other black furniture that I have in the room. It even clashes with the wooden feet, which are actually black. I really regret buying this chair.