Color spec
| Brand | Dutch Boy |
| Name | Steely Expression |
| SKU | 435-6DB |
| Hex | #5D6265 |
| RGB | 93, 98, 101 |
| HSL | 202°, 4%, 38% |
| LRV | 12 |
| Undertone | true neutral (no measurable hue) |
| Family | Gray |
About Dutch Boy Steely Expression
With an LRV of 12, Steely Expression is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Steely Expression works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
Closest matches at every US brand
13 brands · top 5 each5 closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Valspar
Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Benjamin Moore
PPG / Glidden
Behr
Kompozit
C2 Paint
Magnolia Home
Diamond Vogel
Farrow & Ball
Clare
Backdrop
Similar Dutch Boy colors
closest in the Dutch Boy deckThe nearest shades to Steely Expression within Dutch Boy's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #5D6265 in HSL space. Pair Steely Expression with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Dutch Boy Steely Expression Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Steely Expression from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Dutch Boy 435-6DB directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Steely Expression
PPG / Glidden's nearest match is Glazed Granite (PPG1011-6), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.7). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 11 vs 12) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steely Expression without repainting risk. See the full Glazed Granite swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Steely Expression
Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Sheet Metal (DE6356), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.72). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 11 vs 12) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steely Expression without repainting risk. See the full Sheet Metal swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Steely Expression
Valspar's nearest match is Weathervane (M360), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.77). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 12.1 vs 12) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steely Expression without repainting risk. See the full Weathervane swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Steely Expression
Benjamin Moore's nearest match is Bracken Slate (CW-690), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.88). It runs slightly lighter (LRV 14 vs 12) and carries a true neutral undertone, so it substitutes for Steely Expression without repainting risk. See the full Bracken Slate swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Steely Expression
Behr's nearest match is Blue Metal (HDC-AC-25), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.92). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 12 vs 12) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Steely Expression without repainting risk. See the full Blue Metal swatch →
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Steely Expression
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Steely Expression is Grays Harbor (SW 6236) — very close at ΔE 2.3, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 12 vs 12) and carries a cool blue-green undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Grays Harbor swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Steely Expression
At C2 Paint, the closest color to Steely Expression is Weathervane (BD20) — very close at ΔE 2.62, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 11 vs 12) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Weathervane swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Steely Expression
At Magnolia Home, the closest color to Steely Expression is Texas Storm (JG-142) — very close at ΔE 2.95, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 13 vs 12) and carries a true neutral undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Texas Storm swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Steely Expression
At Clare, the closest color to Steely Expression is Goodnight Moon (PNT100-DP-42) — very close at ΔE 3.45, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 11 vs 12) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Goodnight Moon swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Steely Expression
Kompozit has no exact twin of Steely Expression. The nearest is Tornado Wind (0584) at ΔE 4.19 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 12 vs 12). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Tornado Wind swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Steely Expression
Diamond Vogel has no exact twin of Steely Expression. The nearest is Deep Sea Shadow (0480) at ΔE 4.34 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 12 vs 12). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Deep Sea Shadow swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Steely Expression
Farrow & Ball doesn't make a true equivalent of Steely Expression — the nearest deck color, Inchyra Blue (NO. 289), is clearly different (ΔE 5.21). For an exact match, any Farrow & Ball retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 435-6DB instead. See the full Inchyra Blue swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Steely Expression
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Steely Expression — the nearest deck color, Mom Jeans (BD-MJ), is clearly different (ΔE 8.04). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 435-6DB instead. See the full Mom Jeans swatch →