Below Zero
M480-4 · #78B8CC · LRV 43 — cool blue-green tone, mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light.
- 1Hidden Gem14
- 2Van Courtland Blue31
- 3Below Zero43
- 4Wythe Blue48
- 5Ocean Boulevard53
What Color Is Below Zero, Really?
Below Zero reads as a cool blue-green tone — mid-tone — versatile but shifts visibly with light. The notes below cover how Behr M480-4 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Below Zero
Below Zero is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Teals add character without shouting — good for a vanity, an island or a feature wall.
How Lighting Changes Below Zero
Below Zero sits in the mid-range at LRV 43, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its teal undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Most complaints about Below Zero are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Behr M480-4 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | NautilusSW 6780 · Sherwin-Williams | 2.6 | 42 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Athenian Blue773 · Benjamin Moore | 3.1 | 45 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Water Fountain5001-10A · Valspar | 2.2 | 42.3 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Harbor SkyPPG1238-4 · PPG / Glidden | 2.9 | 42 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Harbor SkyPPG1238-4 · Glidden | 3.2 | 42 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Skippered Blue235-5DB · Dutch Boy | 3.3 | 43 | Color page → |
Similar Behr Colors
The nearest shades to Below Zero within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #78B8CC in HSL space. Pair Below Zero with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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