Ref. #535E6E · 4005-4C
Motor City Blue
11%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Motor City Blue Technical Profile
What color is Motor City Blue? It's a dark cool gray with the hex code #535E6E. Colors similar to Motor City Blue include Benjamin Moore Evening Dove, Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue, Behr English Channel. Motor City Blue has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 11, Motor City Blue creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a cool neutral, Motor City Blue pairs with cool whites for trim, gray-toned or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Black accents and natural greenery add contrast. Cool neutrals hold their crisp quality under 4000K+ daylight bulbs. Under 2700K warm light they soften considerably — particularly true for any blue or green undertone.
Colors Similar to Motor City Blue
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Motor City Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Motor City Blue
#535E6E
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#666292
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Motor City Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Motor City 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 Valspar Colors
Other Valspar colors close to Motor City 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.
Motor City Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Motor City Blue have?
Motor City Blue by Valspar has a neutral undertone and belongs to the gray color family.
What colors match Motor City Blue from other brands?
The closest matches are Evening Dove by Benjamin Moore (#525B68), Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball (#4D5B6A), English Channel by Behr (#4E6174). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Motor City Blue?
Motor City Blue has an LRV of 11.0, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Motor City 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 Motor City Blue's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.