Smoky Blue → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue (SW 7604), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Smoky Blue
If you love Sherwin Williams Smoky 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 Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Smoky Blue (SW 7604) is a medium-dark blue with muted smoky blue undertones. A muted, sophisticated blue-gray at medium depth. More saturated than Silverpointe, less dark than Storm Cloud. Named for what it is: smoke with blue light filtering through. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 25) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Smoky 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 Compass Blue (PPU13-08) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Compass Blue is a reasonable match. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Smoky Blue
Compass Blue is a reasonable match.
| Smoky Blue | Compass Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 25 | 28 |
| Hex | #99A8AB | #9AACB0 |
| Undertone | Muted Smoky Blue | Medium Blue-Gray |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Smoky Blue has muted smoky blue undertones. A muted, sophisticated blue-gray at medium depth. More saturated than Silverpointe, less dark than Storm Cloud. Named for what it is: smoke with blue light filtering through.
Compass Blue has medium blue-gray undertones. A medium blue-gray with coastal character. More saturated than Reflecting Pool, less dark than a navy. The color of the ocean on an overcast day. Calm and confident.
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
Smoky Blue in Your Room
The smoky quality is consistent. In bright rooms, the blue is visible and attractive. In dim rooms, the smoke takes over. A sophisticated, restful color.
Compass Blue in Your Room
The blue is definite and present. In bright rooms, it reads as a soft medium blue. In dim rooms, the gray calms it into a sophisticated neutral. A nice step beyond the typical light blue-grays.
LRV and Brightness
Smoky Blue has an LRV of 25, while Compass Blue has an LRV of 28. 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 Smoky Blue
Sherwin Williams recommends Smoky Blue for: bedroom, bathroom, office, living room, hallway. With an LRV of 25, 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.
Compass Blue is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, office, accent wall, living room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Compass Blue in the same rooms you planned for Smoky Blue.
Smoky Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Smoky Blue equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Smoky Blue (SW 7604) is Compass Blue (PPU13-08) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Compass Blue is a reasonable match. 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. Smoky Blue is a Sherwin Williams color with muted smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 25. Compass Blue is a Behr color with medium blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 28. With a Delta E of 3.8, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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 3.8, 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.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.