Midnight Blue → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Behr Midnight Blue (PPU15-18), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Midnight Blue
If you love Behr Midnight Blue but need a PPG 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 PPG, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Midnight Blue (PPU15-18) is a dark navy with blue-purple undertones. A deep, dramatic navy with subtle purple undertones. Rich and bold, with more purple lean than many navies. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 5) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Midnight Blue and every PPG 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.
Honestly, PPG does not have a perfect equivalent for Midnight Blue. The closest option is Limitless (PPG1091-4) with a Delta E of 7.3, but at that distance the difference will be visible. Limitless is the closest PPG option. In the same family but noticeably different. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a PPG store.
PPG Matches for Midnight Blue
Limitless is the closest PPG option. In the same family but noticeably different.
| Midnight Blue | Limitless | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 5 | 30 |
| Hex | #323C4B | #A2B0B2 |
| Undertone | Blue-Purple | Medium Blue-Gray |
| Family | Navy | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Midnight Blue has blue-purple undertones. A deep, dramatic navy with subtle purple undertones. Rich and bold, with more purple lean than many navies.
Limitless has medium blue-gray undertones. A medium blue-gray with coastal depth. PPG's 2024 Color of the Year. Named for the boundless horizon where ocean meets sky.
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. Midnight Blue's blue-purple quality may read differently than Limitless's medium blue-gray 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
Midnight Blue in Your Room
In bright light, the blue dominates. In dim rooms, the purple undertone becomes more apparent. Reads as a dramatic, moody navy in most settings.
Limitless in Your Room
The blue-gray is calm and expansive. In bright rooms, a definite blue-gray. In dim rooms, a sophisticated neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Midnight Blue has an LRV of 5, while Limitless has an LRV of 30. That means Limitless reflects more light. If you switch from Midnight Blue to Limitless, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Midnight Blue
Behr recommends Midnight Blue for: accent wall, front door, powder room, office, bedroom. With an LRV of 5, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Limitless is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, living room, office, accent wall. 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.
Midnight Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Midnight Blue equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Midnight Blue (PPU15-18) is Limitless (PPG1091-4) with a Delta E of 7.3, which rates as a "approximate" match. Limitless is the closest PPG option. In the same family but noticeably different. 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. Midnight Blue is a Behr color with blue-purple undertones and an LRV of 5. Limitless is a PPG color with medium blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 30. With a Delta E of 7.3, 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 7.3, 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 PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG 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.