Empire Blue MQ5-56 is a blue paint color from Behr. It has a hex value of #5A90B3, LRV 25 and a cool (blue) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Vanity from PPG (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #5A90B3 · MQ5-56
Empire Blue
25%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Empire Blue Technical Profile
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Empire Blue in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Empire Blue in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
BehrEmpire Blue
Nearly identical
PPGVanity
Vanity
PPG
Nearly identical
Lazy Sunday
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Blueberry Muffin
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Blueberry Festival
Valspar
Very similar
Bird’s Egg Blue
Vista Paint
Very similar
Superhero
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Blue Cruise
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Cook's Blue
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Heavenly Sky
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Breakwaters
Kilz
Very similar
Light Blue
RAL
Visible difference
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Empire Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Empire Blue
#5A90B3
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8287B0
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Empire Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Empire Blue 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 Empire Blue.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Empire Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Empire Blue have?
Empire Blue by Behr has a cool (blue) undertone and sits in the blue color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Empire Blue in your own space before committing.
What colors match Empire Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Empire Blue are Vanity by PPG (a near-identical match), Lazy Sunday by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Cosmopolitan by PPG (a very close match) — the best options for getting Empire Blue's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Empire Blue?
Empire Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 25.4, 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.
Explore More with Empire Blue
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.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Empire Blue's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.