Deep Empire Blue works as a warm neutral anchor — pairs cleanly with most existing palettes and reads forgiving across lighting conditions. At LRV 21 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it if you want a crisp, cool-modern look, or in rooms with heavy north light that can pull its warmth slightly muddy.
Ref. #767E99 · 50BB 22/143
Deep Empire Blue
21%LRV Value
Deep Empire Blue Technical Profile
What color is PPG Deep Empire Blue (50BB 22/143)? It's a deep warm gray — hex #767E99, LRV 21. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Deep Empire Blue is Dutch Boy Charismatic — a near-identical match on the wall, with Dutch Boy Aster Eve and Dunn-Edwards Your Shadow also close. With an LRV of 21, Deep Empire Blue creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Deep Empire Blue pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. As a deeper neutral, Deep Empire Blue reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Deep Empire Blue in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Deep Empire Blue
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Deep Empire Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Deep Empire Blue
#767E99
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9085AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Deep Empire Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Deep Empire 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Deep Empire Blue.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Deep Empire Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Deep Empire Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Deep Empire Blue are Charismatic by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match), Aster Eve by Dutch Boy (a very close match), Your Shadow by Dunn-Edwards (a very close 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 Deep Empire Blue'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 Deep Empire Blue?
Deep Empire Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 21.1, 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. 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 Deep Empire 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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Deep Empire Blue depends on the room. Here's how to choose.