On Cloud Nine is a calming choice — works as both a whole-house neutral when lightened and a dramatic anchor when deepened to navy. At LRV 40 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it in low-light north-facing rooms unless you want a deliberately cool, cocooning effect, since blue can read chilly there.
Ref. #85AED0 · 140-4DB
On Cloud Nine
40%LRV Value
On Cloud Nine Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy On Cloud Nine (140-4DB)? It's a medium cool blue — hex #85AED0, LRV 40. The closest cross-brand equivalent to On Cloud Nine is Kilz Blue Hydrangea — a near-identical match on the wall, with Hirshfield's Calm Tint and Valspar Wild Blue Yonder also close. Its LRV of 40 gives On Cloud Nine depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with cool whites like Chantilly Lace, walnut or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Brass accents add warmth for a layered look. At mid saturation, this color sits at a flexible mid-point — bold enough to anchor a room without dominating, and pairs cleanly with both crisp and creamy whites. Blues stay crisp under 4000K+ cool LEDs. Under 2700K warm bulbs they can read grayer or shift slightly purple — particularly true for mid-tone and saturated blues. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Colors Similar to On Cloud Nine
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With On Cloud Nine
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
On Cloud Nine
#85AED0
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#7E80B4
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for On Cloud Nine
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
On Cloud Nine 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 On Cloud Nine.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
On Cloud Nine — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match On Cloud Nine from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to On Cloud Nine are Blue Hydrangea by Kilz (a near-identical match), Calm Tint by Hirshfield's (a near-identical match), Wild Blue Yonder 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 On Cloud Nine'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 On Cloud Nine?
On Cloud Nine has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 39.8, 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 On Cloud Nine
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 On Cloud Nine depends on the room. Here's how to choose.