Steel Blue 5011 is a neutral paint color from RAL. It has a hex value of #231A24, LRV 1 and a cool (violet) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Velvet Cloak from Benjamin Moore (a visible but close match), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #231A24 · 5011
Steel Blue
1%LRV Value
Cool (Violet)Undertone
Steel Blue Technical Profile
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Steel Blue in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Steel Blue in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
RALSteel Blue
Visible difference
Benjamin MooreVelvet Cloak
Velvet Cloak
Benjamin Moore
Visible difference
Beetroot Purple
Kilz
Visible difference
Raisin
Sherwin-Williams
Visible difference
Rich Bordeaux
Behr
Visible difference
Nevermore
Valspar
Visible difference
Eleanor Ann
Vista Paint
Visible difference
Gracious Grape
Dutch Boy
Visible difference
Eleanor Ann
Hirshfield's
Visible difference
Bistre Pigment
Dunn-Edwards
Visible difference
Onyx Black
PPG
Visible difference
Pitch Black
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 Steel Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Steel Blue
#231A24
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#442D3B
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 RAL Colors
Other RAL colors close to Steel 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.
Steel Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Steel Blue have?
Steel Blue by RAL has a cool (violet) 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 Steel Blue in your own space before committing.
What colors match Steel Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Steel Blue are Velvet Cloak by Benjamin Moore (a close match), Beetroot Purple by Kilz (a close match), Raisin by Sherwin-Williams (a close match) — the best options for getting Steel 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 Steel Blue?
Steel Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 1.2, 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 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.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Steel Blue's cool (violet) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.