ColorplanBenjamin Moore Athens Blue (797) is a very dark blue with a cool blue undertone and an LRV of 16. Closest matches: Farrow & Ball Ultra Marine Blue (No.W29). For trim, try White Heaven (2068-70).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Blue |
| LRV | 16.5 (dark; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #3D74AC |
| RGB | 61, 116, 172 |
| HSL | 210°, 48%, 46% |
About Athens Blue
Athens Blue (797) is a very dark, medium-strength blue from Benjamin Moore. With an LRV of 16, Athens Blue absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
North-facing light makes Athens Blue read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it. It's a good fit for bedrooms, offices, kitchen islands and cabinets and accent walls. Next to Winter's Eve (CC-844), it's cooler and more colorful.
How Athens Blue changes with the light
Athens Blue has a cool undertone. North light will push it cooler and grayer, while south and west light warm it up. If your room faces north, look at it next to a warm white trim.
North-facing rooms
Athens Blue has a cool undertone that north light will push cooler and grayer; warm white trim helps balance it.
East-facing rooms
Athens Blue will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows Athens Blue close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Athens Blue looks cool in the morning and warms up in the golden late-afternoon light.
See Athens Blue in real homes
Photos people have shared of Athens Blue in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Athens Blue equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Closest available · ΔE 10.5
Also close: Smoky Blue (ΔE 12.9)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Close · ΔE 4.6
Also close: Pitch Blue (ΔE 10.2)
Compare side by side →Behr
Closest available · ΔE 13.3
Also close: Jean Jacket Blue (ΔE 14.6)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Athens Blue questions
What undertone does Athens Blue have?
Athens Blue has a cool blue undertone, so it reads as a cool color. North-facing light makes Athens Blue read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it.
Is Athens Blue a light or dark color?
Athens Blue has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 16.5 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a very dark color. With an LRV of 16, Athens Blue absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
What is the closest match to Athens Blue in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Distance SW 6243 (closest available, ΔE 10.5); Farrow & Ball: Ultra Marine Blue No.W29 (close, ΔE 4.6); Behr: Blueprint S470-5 (closest available, ΔE 13.3). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Athens Blue?
Try White Heaven (2068-70) on trim and Polar White (2069-70) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Athens Blue's undertone.
Where does Athens Blue work best?
Athens Blue works well in bedrooms, offices, kitchen islands and cabinets and accent walls. With an LRV of 16, Athens Blue absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
Planning more than one room?
Build a whole-house palette and share it with your contractor. Free.