Head-to-Head Dupe Analysis96.7% Match SimilaritySave $97 / Gallon
Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue
vs Behr Dark Navy
Looking for a cheap equivalent to Stiffkey Blue (No. 281)? Here is the scientific comparison, spectrophotometric ΔE score, and exact formula to get this mixed at Home Depot.
โ๏ธ Side-by-Side Visual Comparison
Notice how the human eye perceives both shades under identical D65 daylight.
ΔE: 1.23
Original (luxury)$145/gal
Stiffkey Blue
Farrow & Ball (No. 281)
HEX: #3C4B56 โข LRV: 10
Budget Dupe (budget)$48/gal
Dark Navy
Behr (S530-7)
HEX: #3B4853 โข LRV: 9.5
๐ฏ Editorial Verdict:"Virtually Indistinguishable (Only visible side-by-side in direct sunlight)"
Light Reflectance difference is only 0.5%. Once painted across an entire room, natural light bounce creates identical atmosphere.
Cost Difference
Save $97/gal (67%)
Technical Specification Comparison
Objective measurements recorded under standard CIE D65 illuminant.
| Metric | Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue | Behr Dark Navy | Difference / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexadecimal Code | #3C4B56 | #3B4853 | ΔE 1.23 |
| sRGB Coordinates | 60, 75, 86 | 59, 72, 83 | Near-parallel chromaticity |
| LRV (Light Reflectance) | 10% | 9.5% | Only 0.5% variance |
| Dominant Undertones | Norfolk Blue, Navy Indigo, Coastal Dark | Deep Navy, Midnight Ocean, Indigo | Complementary tones |
| Price Per Gallon (MSRP) | $145 | $48 | Save $97/gal |
| Whole House Cost (10 gal) | $1450 | $480 | Save $970 Total! |
๐ How to Order this Dupe at Home Depot
Copy and present this exact prompt to the paint counter technician.
"Hi, I would like 1 gallon of Behr Marquee/Premium tinted to Dark Navy (S530-7). This is a verified match for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue (No. 281)."