Finding a Behr Equivalent for Palladian Blue

If you love Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue but need a Behr alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Behr, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

Palladian Blue (HC-144) is a medium green with soft green-blue undertones. A light, spa-like blue-green that reads as calming and fresh. More green than blue in most light, with a sophisticated muted quality. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 56.12) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Palladian Blue and every Behr color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.

The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Behr option is Ocean Air (MQ3-20) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Ocean Air is close in spirit. Both achieve a calming blue-green, though Palladian Blue has more color saturation. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.

Behr Matches for Palladian Blue

Ocean Air MQ3-20
Good match · ΔE 4.8

Ocean Air is close in spirit. Both achieve a calming blue-green, though Palladian Blue has more color saturation.

Palladian BlueOcean Air
LRV56.1260
Hex#BDD2C7#C7D3CA
UndertoneSoft Green-BlueSoft Green-Blue
FamilyGreenGreen

Undertone Comparison

Palladian Blue has soft green-blue undertones. A light, spa-like blue-green that reads as calming and fresh. More green than blue in most light, with a sophisticated muted quality.

Ocean Air has soft green-blue undertones. A soft, calming green-blue gray. Captures that spa-like serenity without committing to a strong green or blue.

These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.

How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting

Palladian Blue in Your Room

In bright light, the green is dominant. In cooler or dimmer rooms, the blue comes forward. A true chameleon that always feels serene.

Ocean Air in Your Room

Shifts between green and blue depending on light. In bright light, the green is more apparent. In cool or dim rooms, the blue comes forward. A beautiful chameleon.

LRV and Brightness

Palladian Blue has an LRV of 56.12, while Ocean Air has an LRV of 60. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.

Best Rooms for Palladian Blue

Benjamin Moore recommends Palladian Blue for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, sunroom. With an LRV of 56.12, this is a medium color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.

Ocean Air is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, spa-like spaces. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Ocean Air in the same rooms you planned for Palladian Blue.

Palladian Blue in Other Brands

Looking for Palladian Blue equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Behr match for Palladian Blue (HC-144) is Ocean Air (MQ3-20) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Ocean Air is close in spirit. Both achieve a calming blue-green, though Palladian Blue has more color saturation. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.

No, they are not identical. Palladian Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with soft green-blue undertones and an LRV of 56.12. Ocean Air is a Behr color with soft green-blue undertones and an LRV of 60. With a Delta E of 4.8, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.

With a Delta E of 4.8, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.

There are several practical reasons to look for a Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.