Ref. #535A61 · DE6342
Blue Steel
10%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Blue Steel Technical Profile
What color is Blue Steel? It's a dark cool gray with the hex code #535A61. Colors similar to Blue Steel include Hirshfield's Thunderstorm, Benjamin Moore Deep Secretreg, Vista Paint Thunderstorm. Blue Steel has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 10, Blue Steel creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a cool neutral, Blue Steel 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. 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.
Colors Similar to Blue Steel
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Blue Steel
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Blue Steel
#535A61
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#5C5C8B
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Blue Steel
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Blue Steel 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 Dunn-Edwards Colors
Other Dunn-Edwards colors close to Blue Steel.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Blue Steel — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Blue Steel have?
Blue Steel by Dunn-Edwards has a cool (blue) undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Blue Steel from other brands?
The closest matches are Thunderstorm by Hirshfield's (#555C64), Deep Secretreg by Benjamin Moore (#535B61), Thunderstorm by Vista Paint (#525962). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Blue Steel?
Blue Steel has an LRV of 10.0, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Blue Steel
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 Blue Steel's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.