Steel Blue

Technical Profile

What color is Steel Blue? It's a light cool blue with the hex code #889FC0. Colors similar to Steel Blue include Behr Violet Shadow, Behr Camelot, Dutch Boy Celestial Horizon. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Steel Blue has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Steel Blue (#889FC0) by Benjamin Moore is a light blue paint color with a balanced saturation that feels natural and approachable. It delivers a bright, welcoming quality that keeps interiors feeling fresh. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. In its RGB breakdown, blue is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle cool, atmospheric depth even under different lighting conditions. Its Light Reflectance Value of 61 means it reflects a healthy amount of light, keeping spaces bright without feeling stark. Light blues are classic in bathrooms, bedrooms, and coastal-themed living rooms. Eggshell or satin finishes complement light tones nicely, balancing a subtle sheen with durability for high-traffic areas. For color coordination, Steel Blue pairs beautifully with orange tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring blue and teal hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its neutral undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Benjamin Moore is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from Behr, Dutch Boy, Kilz and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Steel Blue offers a breezy, coastal serenity that keeps spaces feeling clean and refreshed. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for nautical, classic traditional, and Hamptons-style interiors. As part of the Benjamin Moore palette, Steel Blue benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Steel Blue can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. This tone works well alongside natural textures like jute rugs, bleached wood, ceramic tile, and woven baskets, building an inviting, tactile space. You can order Steel Blue (823) directly from Benjamin Moore or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.