Williamsburg Wythe Blue → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Benjamin Moore Williamsburg Wythe Blue (CW-590), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Williamsburg Wythe Blue
If you love Benjamin Moore Williamsburg Wythe 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.
Williamsburg Wythe Blue (CW-590) is a medium-dark blue with historic blue-green undertones. A historic blue-green from the Williamsburg Collection. Similar to HC-143 Wythe Blue but from the Colonial Williamsburg palette. Muted and sophisticated. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 32.11) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Williamsburg Wythe 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 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Ocean Air is less blue. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Williamsburg Wythe Blue
Ocean Air is less blue.
| Williamsburg Wythe Blue | Ocean Air | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 32.11 | 60 |
| Hex | #A7B5B1 | #C7D3CA |
| Undertone | Historic Blue-Green | Soft Green-Blue |
| Family | Blue | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Williamsburg Wythe Blue has historic blue-green undertones. A historic blue-green from the Williamsburg Collection. Similar to HC-143 Wythe Blue but from the Colonial Williamsburg palette. Muted and sophisticated.
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.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Williamsburg Wythe Blue's historic blue-green quality may read differently than Ocean Air's soft green-blue character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Williamsburg Wythe Blue in Your Room
The blue-green is restrained and historic. In bright rooms, a soft teal tint. In dim rooms, a warm gray with blue-green echoes.
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
Williamsburg Wythe Blue has an LRV of 32.11, while Ocean Air has an LRV of 60. That means Ocean Air reflects more light. If you switch from Williamsburg Wythe Blue to Ocean Air, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Williamsburg Wythe Blue
Benjamin Moore recommends Williamsburg Wythe Blue for: living room, dining room, bedroom, hallway, office. With an LRV of 32.11, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Ocean Air is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, laundry room, spa-like spaces. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Williamsburg Wythe Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Williamsburg Wythe Blue equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Williamsburg Wythe Blue (CW-590) is Ocean Air (MQ3-20) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Ocean Air is less blue. 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. Williamsburg Wythe Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with historic blue-green undertones and an LRV of 32.11. Ocean Air is a Behr color with soft green-blue undertones and an LRV of 60. With a Delta E of 4.4, 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 4.4, 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.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.