Adequate Aqua 231-5DB is a blue paint color from Dutch Boy. It has a hex value of #4A9691, LRV 25 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Soft Spruce from Benjamin Moore (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #4A9691 · 231-5DB
Adequate Aqua
25%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Adequate Aqua Technical Profile
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Adequate Aqua in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Adequate Aqua in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Dutch BoyAdequate Aqua
Nearly identical
Benjamin MooreSoft Spruce
Soft Spruce
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Dreamy Teal
Valspar
Nearly identical
Niagara Reef Jade
PPG
Nearly identical
French Blue
Kilz
Nearly identical
Cold North
Vista Paint
Very similar
Cold North
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Balinese Retreat
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Semi-precious
Behr
Very similar
Pastel Blue
RAL
Very similar
Cloudburst
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Dream .05
Colorhouse
Visible difference
Vardo
Farrow & Ball
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 Adequate Aqua
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Adequate Aqua
#4A9691
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#728DA1
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Adequate Aqua
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Adequate Aqua 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Adequate Aqua.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Adequate Aqua — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Adequate Aqua have?
Adequate Aqua by Dutch Boy has a neutral 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 Adequate Aqua in your own space before committing.
What colors match Adequate Aqua from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Adequate Aqua are Soft Spruce by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Dreamy Teal by Valspar (a near-identical match), Niagara Reef Jade by PPG (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Adequate Aqua'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 Adequate Aqua?
Adequate Aqua has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 25.3, 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 Adequate Aqua
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 Adequate Aqua's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.