Color spec
| Brand | Dutch Boy |
| Name | Taboo Blue |
| SKU | 340-3DB |
| Hex | #AEB7C4 |
| RGB | 174, 183, 196 |
| HSL | 215°, 16%, 73% |
| LRV | 47 |
| Undertone | blue / cool |
| Family | Gray |
About Dutch Boy Taboo Blue
Taboo Blue sits in the mid-range at LRV 47, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its blue 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.
Taboo Blue is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. 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
PPG / Glidden
Benjamin Moore
Behr
Dunn-Edwards
Sherwin-Williams
Clare
Diamond Vogel
Kompozit
Farrow & Ball
C2 Paint
Backdrop
Magnolia Home
Similar Dutch Boy colors
closest in the Dutch Boy deckThe nearest shades to Taboo Blue 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 #AEB7C4 in HSL space. Pair Taboo Blue 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 Taboo Blue Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Taboo Blue 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 340-3DB directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Valspar Equivalent of Taboo Blue
The closest Valspar equivalent of Taboo Blue is Misty Morning Dew (4003-3C). At ΔE 0.51 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same cool blue undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 46.5 vs 47). If Valspar is your counter, order Misty Morning Dew and you'll get the same color. See the full Misty Morning Dew swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Taboo Blue
PPG / Glidden's nearest match is Blue Beard (PPG1042-4), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.14). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 47) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Taboo Blue without repainting risk. See the full Blue Beard swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Taboo Blue
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Taboo Blue is Manor Blue (1627) — very close at ΔE 2.46, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 47) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Manor Blue swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Taboo Blue
At Behr, the closest color to Taboo Blue is Calming Space (ICC-45) — very close at ΔE 2.7, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 47) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Calming Space swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Taboo Blue
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Taboo Blue is Glen Falls (DE6332) — very close at ΔE 2.76, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 44 vs 47) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Glen Falls swatch →
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Taboo Blue
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Taboo Blue is Lakeside (SW 9683) — very close at ΔE 2.92, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 47 vs 47) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Lakeside swatch →
Clare Equivalent of Taboo Blue
Clare has no exact twin of Taboo Blue. The nearest is Cloud Watching (PNT100-MD-73) at ΔE 3.61 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 50 vs 47). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Cloud Watching swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Taboo Blue
Kompozit has no exact twin of Taboo Blue. The nearest is Let It Rain (0518) at ΔE 4.12 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 48 vs 47). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Let It Rain swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Taboo Blue
Diamond Vogel has no exact twin of Taboo Blue. The nearest is Buffed Plum (1317) at ΔE 4.75 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly darker (LRV 45 vs 47). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Buffed Plum swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Taboo Blue
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Taboo Blue. The nearest is Lulworth Blue (NO. 89) at ΔE 4.85 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 47). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Lulworth Blue swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Taboo Blue
C2 Paint doesn't make a true equivalent of Taboo Blue — the nearest deck color, Bella Donna (C2-782), is clearly different (ΔE 5.7). For an exact match, any C2 Paint retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 340-3DB instead. See the full Bella Donna swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Taboo Blue
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Taboo Blue — the nearest deck color, Underdog (BD-UD), is clearly different (ΔE 5.71). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 340-3DB instead. See the full Underdog swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Taboo Blue
Magnolia Home doesn't make a true equivalent of Taboo Blue — the nearest deck color, Rainy Days (JG-01), is clearly different (ΔE 8.5). For an exact match, any Magnolia Home retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 340-3DB instead. See the full Rainy Days swatch →