Steel Blue is a calming choice — works as both a whole-house neutral when lightened and a dramatic anchor when deepened to navy. At LRV 32 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. #8A9BB8 · 30BB 33/163
Steel Blue
32%LRV Value
Steel Blue Technical Profile
What color is PPG Steel Blue (30BB 33/163)? It's a medium cool blue — hex #8A9BB8, LRV 32. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Steel Blue is Behr Periwinkle Blossom — a near-identical match on the wall, with Kilz Purple Wish and Behr Ash Violet also close. Its LRV of 32 gives Steel Blue 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.
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Colors Similar to Steel Blue
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Steel Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Steel Blue
#8A9BB8
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#8A85AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Steel Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Steel 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 Steel Blue.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Steel Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Steel Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Steel Blue are Periwinkle Blossom by Behr (a near-identical match), Purple Wish by Kilz (a near-identical match), Ash Violet by Behr (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 Steel 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 Steel Blue?
Steel Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 32.3, 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. 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 Steel 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 Steel Blue depends on the room. Here's how to choose.