Behr Optimum Blue M540-7
| Code: | M540-7 |
| Name: | Optimum Blue |
| Brand: | Behr |
What color is Behr Optimum Blue?
As the walls are painted in Behr Optimum Blue M540-7, the room exudes a sense of tranquility and sophistication. This deep shade pairs well with creamy whites and earthy browns, enhancing the overall ambiance. Accents in soft greys and hints of gold further complement the rich hue of Optimum Blue. The interplay of light and shadow on the Optimum Blue walls creates a dynamic and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for a cozy yet elegant space.
Behr Optimum Blue reviews (23 photos)
View the photos of real spaces painted with this blue that were not included in specific categories.Close-ups, painted furniture, storages and dressers, hallways, stairs and ceilings.























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What are Behr Optimum Blue undertones?
Optimum Blue has a clear blue undertone based on its position in the color space. We identify undertones by isolating the pure hue (separating it from lightness and saturation), which avoids distortions caused by tints, tones, and shades.
This method is generally more reliable than judging undertones on a white background.
HEX value:
#465A7F
RGB code:
70, 90, 127
Is Behr Optimum Blue M540-7 cool or warm?
With a hue of 219°, this dark blue reads cool based on its HSL hue position.
M540-7 Optimum Blue HSL code: 219, 29%, 39%
Hue - degree on a color wheel from 0 to 360. 0 is red, 120 is green, and 240 is blue.
Saturation is expressed as a percentage. At 0%, it appears as a shade of grey, and at 100%, it is in full color.
Lightness is also a percentage value. 0% is black, and 100% is white.
How light temperature affects Optimum Blue
Natural Lighting. During the day, natural light shifts from about 2000 K at sunrise/sunset to 5500–6500 K at noon.
In addition, natural‑light temperature depends on its direction:
| Direction of sunlight | Visible temp. | Hue | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Cool | Bluish | All day |
| East | Warm | Yellow | Before noon |
| West | Warm | Orange‑red | After noon |
| South | Warm | Orange‑yellow | All day |
Artificial Lighting. When choosing bulbs, pay attention to their color‑temperature (Kelvins).
Use the slider to see how this dark blue shade looks under different lighting:


4000K
Coordinating colors.
Colors that go with Behr Optimum Blue:
Monochromatic color scheme
This scheme consists of various shades, tints, and tones of a single color. While it offers a perfect combination of hues, without accent décor it may become monotonous.
Lighter shades
M540-7
Optimum Blue
Darker shades
Complementary color scheme
This color scheme is a combination of two shades that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between these colors creates a vibrant and dynamic visual effect. For the color Optimum Blue with a blue hue, complementary colors are those with a orange hue close to 39, such as Behr Chicago Fog and White City.
LRV of Optimum Blue
Optimum Blue has an LRV of 10.02% and refers to Medium Dark which means that this color reflects very little light. Why LRV is important?
Light Reflectance Value measures the amount of visible and usable light that reflects from a painted surface.
Simply put, the higher the LRV of a paint color, the brighter the room you will get.
The scale goes from 0% (absolute black, absorbing all light) to 100% (pure white, reflecting all light).
Act like a pro: When choosing paint with an LRV of 10.02%, pay attention to your bulbs' brightness. Light brightness is measured in lumens. The lower the paint's LRV, the higher lumen level you need. Every square foot of room needs at least 40 lumens. That means for a 200 ft2 living room you’ll need about 8000 lumens of light – e.g., eight 1000 lm bulbs.
Color codes
We have collected almost every possible color code you could ever need. To copy the code, just click the icon to the right of it.
| Format | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| HEX | #465a7f | |
| RGB Decimal | 70, 90, 127 | |
| RGB Percent | 27.45%, 35.29%, 49.80% | |
| HSV | Hue: 219° Saturation: 44.88% Value: 49.8% | |
| HSL | hsl(219, 29, 39) | |
| CMYK | Cyan: 44.88 Magenta: 29.13 Yellow: 0.0 Key: 50.2 | |
| YIQ | Y: 88.238 I: -23.808 Q: 7.284 | |
| XYZ | X: 10.011 Y: 10.146 Z: 21.504 | |
| CIE Lab | L:38.103 a:2.927 b:-23.189 | |
| CIE Luv | L:38.103 u:-10.505 v:-32.475 | |
| Decimal | 4610687 | |
| Hunter Lab | 31.853, 0.359, -17.729 |
Color equivalents
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