ColorplanBenjamin Moore Steel Blue (823) is a deep blue with a cool blue undertone and an LRV of 33. For trim, try Polar White (2069-70).
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 | 33.4 (mid-tone; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #879EBF |
| RGB | 135, 158, 191 |
| HSL | 215°, 30%, 64% |
About Steel Blue
Steel Blue (823) is a deep, muted blue from Benjamin Moore. With an LRV of 33, Steel Blue absorbs more light than it reflects, so it works best in rooms with good natural light or where you want a cozier feel.
North-facing light makes Steel 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 Pressed Violet (CSP-520), it's darker.
How Steel Blue changes with the light
Steel 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
Steel Blue has a cool undertone that north light will push cooler and grayer; warm white trim helps balance it.
East-facing rooms
Steel 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 Steel Blue close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
Steel Blue looks cool in the morning and warms up in the golden late-afternoon light.
See Steel Blue in real homes
Photos people have shared of Steel Blue in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
Steel 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 7.2
Also close: Bracing Blue (ΔE 9.6)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Closest available · ΔE 6.8
Also close: Kittiwake (ΔE 8.3)
Compare side by side →Behr
Closest available · ΔE 7.3
Also close: Cool December (ΔE 9.6)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
Steel Blue questions
What undertone does Steel Blue have?
Steel Blue has a cool blue undertone, so it reads as a cool color. North-facing light makes Steel Blue read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it.
Is Steel Blue a light or dark color?
Steel Blue has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 33.4 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a deep color. With an LRV of 33, Steel Blue absorbs more light than it reflects, so it works best in rooms with good natural light or where you want a cozier feel.
What is the closest match to Steel Blue in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Daphne SW 9151 (closest available, ΔE 7.2); Farrow & Ball: Cook's Blue No.237 (closest available, ΔE 6.8); Behr: Jean Jacket Blue S510-4 (closest available, ΔE 7.3). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with Steel Blue?
Try Polar White (2069-70) on trim and Wedding Veil (2125-70) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share Steel Blue's undertone.
Where does Steel Blue work best?
Steel Blue works well in bedrooms, offices, kitchen islands and cabinets and accent walls. With an LRV of 33, Steel Blue absorbs more light than it reflects, so it works best in rooms with good natural light or where you want a cozier feel.
Planning more than one room?
Build a whole-house palette and share it with your contractor. Free.