Artic Ocean reads as crisp and architectural — strong in modern spaces, with natural fixed elements (chrome, stone, glass), or as a quiet anchor. At LRV 50 it sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas, soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. Skip it if you want a cozy, warm room — cool neutrals can feel sterile under warm bulbs or in low light.
Ref. #AFBEC1 · PMD-99
Artic Ocean
50%LRV Value
Artic Ocean Technical Profile
What color is Behr Artic Ocean (PMD-99)? It's a medium cool gray — hex #AFBEC1, LRV 50. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Artic Ocean is Valspar Jolene — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Windblown Blue and Valspar Lagoon Reflection also close. At LRV 50, Artic Ocean sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. As a cool neutral, Artic Ocean pairs with cool whites for trim, gray-toned or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Black accents and natural greenery add contrast. At mid depth, Artic Ocean grounds a space without darkening it — it holds up on lower walls, kitchen islands, and as a wraparound where a lighter neutral would feel washed out. Cool neutrals hold their crisp quality under 4000K+ daylight bulbs. Under 2700K warm light they soften considerably — particularly true for any blue or green undertone. At mid depth Artic Ocean holds its character across bulb temperatures, shifting only slightly warm under 2700K and slightly crisper under cool daylight.
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Colors Similar to Artic Ocean
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Artic Ocean
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Artic Ocean
#AFBEC1
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8592AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Artic Ocean
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Artic Ocean Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Behr Colors
Other Behr colors close to Artic Ocean.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Artic Ocean — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Artic Ocean from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Artic Ocean are Jolene by Valspar (a near-identical match), Windblown Blue by Valspar (a near-identical match), Lagoon Reflection by Valspar (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Artic Ocean's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Artic Ocean?
Artic Ocean has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 49.8, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Artic Ocean
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Artic Ocean depends on the room. Here's how to choose.