What is the HEX code and RGB for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue?

The exact hexadecimal code for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue (No. 281) is #3C4B56. Its sRGB values are R: 60, G: 75, B: 86.

What is the LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of Stiffkey Blue?

The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue is 10. This makes it a moody, deep shade that absorbs light and adds intimate drama.

What is the best cheap dupe for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue?

The best budget match for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue is Behr Dark Navy (S530-7) with a 96.7% visual similarity (CIEDE2000 ΔE: 1.23), saving $97 per gallon.

What undertones does Stiffkey Blue have?

Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue features Norfolk Blue, Navy Indigo, Coastal Dark undertones. It performs best when paired with clean white trim such as Pure White.

Farrow & BallCode: No. 281Blues

Stiffkey Blue

Named after the Norfolk beach where the mud and cockles have a distinctive blue hue. Farrow & Ball most dramatic inky blue.

Dominant Undertones:

Norfolk BlueNavy IndigoCoastal Dark

Est. Price: $145/gal

LRV (Reflectance)

10/ 100

Max Dupe Savings

$101/gal

🏷️ Don't buy a $100 paint can without testing!

Order an authentic 12"x12" Peel & Stick adhesive sample of Stiffkey Blue.

Order $5.95 Sample→

Farrow & BallNo. 281

Stiffkey Blue

HEX: #3C4B56 • LRV: 10

⚡ Side-by-Side:Stiffkey Blue vs Dark Navy Dupe

→

🛋️ Interactive Room VisualizerLive Simulation

See Stiffkey Blue on living room walls under different lighting temperatures.

Stiffkey Blue#3C4B56

🔬 Scientific Color BreakdownD65 Standard Illuminant

Exact spectrophotometric metrics used by automated tint dispensers and interior designers.

Hexadecimal

#3C4B56

Web & Digital

sRGB Values

60, 75, 86

Red, Green, Blue

LRV

10%

Absorbs Light

HSL

205°, 18%, 29%

Hue, Sat, Light

CMYK

30,13,0,66

Print coordinates

Brand Tier

luxury

$145/gal MSRP

Top Budget Dupes for Stiffkey Blue

CIEDE2000 Ranked

Calculated color matches in cheaper paint brands like Behr, Valspar, and Sherwin-Williams.

💸 Potential Whole-House Savings:$1010 (10 gal)

#1Behr Alternative

96.7% Match

Stiffkey Blue

Farrow & Ball

$145/gal

DUPE

Dark Navy

Behr (S530-7)

$48/gal

💰 Saves $97 per gallon

67% Cheaper

CIEDE2000 (ΔE):1.23

LRV Comparison:10 vs 9.5

"Virtually Indistinguishable (Only visible side-by-side in direct sunlight)"

Color Specs →Buy at Home Depot

#2Magnolia Home Alternative

94.8% Match

Stiffkey Blue

Farrow & Ball

$145/gal

DUPE

Weekend

Magnolia Home (JG-03)

$52/gal

💰 Saves $93 per gallon

64% Cheaper

CIEDE2000 (ΔE):1.55

LRV Comparison:10 vs 10

"Excellent Visual Dupe (Same mood and undertone)"

Color Specs →Buy at Home Depot

#3Valspar Alternative

94.5% Match

Stiffkey Blue

Farrow & Ball

$145/gal

DUPE

Flint Smoke

Valspar (5003-1B)

$44/gal

💰 Saves $101 per gallon

70% Cheaper

CIEDE2000 (ΔE):1.61

LRV Comparison:10 vs 10

"Excellent Visual Dupe (Same mood and undertone)"

Color Specs →Buy at Lowe's

#4Benjamin Moore Alternative

89.7% Match

Stiffkey Blue

Farrow & Ball

$145/gal

DUPE

Van Deusen Blue

Benjamin Moore (HC-156)

$94/gal

💰 Saves $51 per gallon

35% Cheaper

CIEDE2000 (ΔE):2.68

LRV Comparison:10 vs 12

"Excellent Visual Dupe (Same mood and undertone)"

Color Specs →Buy at Ace Hardware / BM Store

Stiffkey Blue Equivalents Across Major Paint Brands

Summary of the closest visual matches across all major retail competitors.

Brand	Matching Color	Code	Similarity	ΔE	Price / Gal	Action
Sherwin-Williams	Naval	SW 6244	77.2%	5.23	$82	View Specs
Benjamin Moore	Van Deusen Blue	HC-156	89.7%	2.68	$94	View Specs
Behr	Dark Navy	S530-7	96.7%	1.23	$48	View Specs
Magnolia Home	Weekend	JG-03	94.8%	1.55	$52	View Specs
Valspar	Flint Smoke	5003-1B	94.5%	1.61	$44	View Specs

Coordinating Trim & Accent Colors for Stiffkey Blue

Professional color pairings recommended by interior designers for ceilings, doors, and accent walls.

Recommended Trim White

Pure White (SW 7005)

Sherwin-Williams • LRV 84

Recommended Accent

Iron Ore (SW 7069)

Sherwin-Williams • LRV 6

Paint Counter Pro Tip

Most Home Depot and Lowe's color computers already contain the formulation for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue. Simply ask the associate to "color-match Stiffkey Blue in Behr Marquee base".

Frequently Asked Questions About Stiffkey Blue

What is the exact HEX code and RGB for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue?

The official hexadecimal color code is #3C4B56. In the standard sRGB color space, its coordinates are Red: 60, Green: 75, Blue: 86.

What is the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of Stiffkey Blue?

Stiffkey Blue has an LRV of 10. Its deep LRV makes it an anchor shade that creates intimate, cocoon-like spaces in dining rooms, offices, and powder rooms.

What is the closest Behr or cheap dupe for Stiffkey Blue?

The closest budget alternative is Behr Dark Navy (S530-7), scoring a 96.7% visual match on the CIEDE2000 algorithm and saving approximately $97 per gallon.