Stiffkey Blue 281 is a neutral paint color from Farrow & Ball. It has a hex value of #4D5B6A, LRV 10 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Hampton Surf from Valspar (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #4D5B6A · 281
Stiffkey Blue
10%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Stiffkey Blue Technical Profile
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Stiffkey Blue in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Stiffkey Blue in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Farrow & BallStiffkey Blue
Nearly identical
ValsparHampton Surf
Hampton Surf
Valspar
Nearly identical
Yankee Doodle
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Harbour (marquee)
Behr
Nearly identical
Approaching Storm
PPG
Nearly identical
Seal Blue
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Seal Blue
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Wool .06
Colorhouse
Very similar
Mineral Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Alaskan Night
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Kettle Black
Kilz
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Stiffkey Blue — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Stiffkey Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Stiffkey Blue
#4D5B6A
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#5E5E8C
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Stiffkey Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Stiffkey 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 Farrow & Ball Colors
Other Farrow & Ball colors close to Stiffkey Blue.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Stiffkey Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Stiffkey Blue have?
Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball has a neutral undertone and sits in the neutral color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Stiffkey Blue in your own space before committing.
What colors match Stiffkey Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Stiffkey Blue are Hampton Surf by Valspar (a near-identical match), Yankee Doodle by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Harbour (marquee) by Behr (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Stiffkey 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 Stiffkey Blue?
Stiffkey Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 10.1, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light.
Explore More with Stiffkey 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 Stiffkey Blue's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.