Ref. #87C5E6 · 4008-9C
Billow
51%LRV Value
Cool (Blue)Undertone
Billow Technical Profile
What color is Billow? It's a medium cool blue with the hex code #87C5E6. Colors similar to Billow include Vista Paint Lupe's Lake, Behr Colorado Springs, PPG Horizon Haze. Billow has a cool (blue) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. At LRV 51, Billow sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. 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. 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.
Colors Similar to Billow
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Billow
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Billow
#87C5E6
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#717DC1
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Billow
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Billow 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 Valspar Colors
Other Valspar colors close to Billow.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Billow — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Billow have?
Billow by Valspar has a cool (blue) undertone and belongs to the blue color family.
What colors match Billow from other brands?
The closest matches are Lupe's Lake by Vista Paint (#86C3E4), Colorado Springs by Behr (#85C2E0), Horizon Haze by PPG (#80C1E2). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Billow?
Billow has an LRV of 50.8, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Billow
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 Billow's cool (blue) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.