Color spec
| Brand | Glidden |
| Name | Contemplative Blue |
| SKU | 30BB 39/122 |
| Hex | #9BA6BD |
| RGB | 155, 166, 189 |
| HSL | 221°, 20%, 67% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | cool blue tone |
| Family | Blue |
About Glidden Contemplative Blue
Contemplative Blue sits in the mid-range at LRV 39, 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.
Contemplative Blue is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Blues calm a room, which makes them popular in bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices.
Closest matches by brand
9 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all blue from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
C2 Paint
Similar Glidden colors
closest in the Glidden deckThe nearest shades to Contemplative Blue within Glidden'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 #9BA6BD in HSL space. Pair Contemplative 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.
Glidden Contemplative Blue Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Contemplative 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 Glidden 30BB 39/122 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
At Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Contemplative Blue is Solitude (SW 6535) — very close at ΔE 3.39, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Solitude swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
Behr's nearest match is Ashberry (N550-4), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.63). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Contemplative Blue without repainting risk. See the full Ashberry swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Contemplative Blue is Harlequin Blue (830) — very close at ΔE 3.14, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Harlequin Blue swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
PPG / Glidden has no exact twin of Contemplative Blue. The nearest is Inevitable (PPG10-24) at ΔE 4.08 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Inevitable swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
At Dutch Boy, the closest color to Contemplative Blue is Rapid Waters (339-4DB) — very close at ΔE 2.57, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 37 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Rapid Waters swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
At HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the closest color to Contemplative Blue is Blue Slumber (HGSW 2395) — very close at ΔE 3.39, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Blue Slumber swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
At Dunn-Edwards, the closest color to Contemplative Blue is Sapphire Fog (DE5899) — very close at ΔE 3.27, though not an exact twin. It runs noticeably darker (LRV 13 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Sapphire Fog swatch →
C2 Paint Equivalent of Contemplative Blue
At C2 Paint, the closest color to Contemplative Blue is Approaching Storm (BD12) — very close at ΔE 3.15, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Approaching Storm swatch →