Athenian Blue vs Watercolor Blue

Athenian Blue and Watercolor Blue come from the same Benjamin Moore collection. Both sit in the blue family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 21-point LRV gap — 66 for Watercolor Blue vs 45 for Athenian Blue — means Watercolor Blue will open up a space more effectively. Both share a blue character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. A ΔE of 15.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.

Color Details

Athenian Blue
Benjamin Moore · 773
Hex#83B8D0
LRV44.9
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number773
UndertoneBlue
TemperatureCool
BrightnessMedium
Watercolor Blue
Benjamin Moore · 793
Hex#B9D9E7
LRV66.2
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number793
UndertoneBlue
TemperatureCool
BrightnessLight

Athenian Blue vs Watercolor Blue Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Athenian Blue on one side and Watercolor Blue on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.

More Athenian Blue comparisons

See how Athenian Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

White Dove
Athenian Blue
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
White Dove
LRV 83

White Dove is the lighter choice

Ammonite
Athenian Blue
Ammonite
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite reads noticeably lighter

Iron Ore
Athenian Blue
Iron Ore
Sherwin-Williams
Iron Ore
LRV 6

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Purbeck Stone
Athenian Blue
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Purbeck Stone
LRV 52

Purbeck Stone reads slightly lighter

Evergreen Fog
Athenian Blue
Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams
Evergreen Fog
LRV 30

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

Mizzle
Athenian Blue
Mizzle
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Mizzle reads slightly lighter

Agreeable Gray
Athenian Blue
Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Agreeable Gray
LRV 60

Agreeable Gray reads noticeably lighter

Denim Drift
Athenian Blue
Denim Drift
Dulux
Denim Drift
LRV 27

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

Tranquil Dawn
Athenian Blue
Tranquil Dawn
Dulux
Tranquil Dawn
LRV 55

Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter

Balboa Mist
Athenian Blue
Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist
LRV 66

Balboa Mist reads noticeably lighter

Vintage Vogue
Athenian Blue
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Vintage Vogue
LRV 12

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Pale Green
Athenian Blue
Pale Green
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

Pine Needle
Athenian Blue
Pine Needle
Dulux
Pine Needle
LRV 7

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Cement grey
Athenian Blue
Cement grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

Black grey
Athenian Blue
Black grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Black grey
LRV 6

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Piazza
Athenian Blue
Piazza
Tikkurila
Piazza
LRV 65

Piazza reads noticeably lighter

Humble Yellow
Athenian Blue
Humble Yellow
Jotun
Humble Yellow
LRV 57

Humble Yellow reads slightly lighter

Windmill Lane
Athenian Blue
Windmill Lane
Little Greene
Windmill Lane
LRV 31

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

Senses
Athenian Blue
Senses
Jotun
Senses
LRV 41

Athenian Blue reads slightly lighter

Lamp Black
Athenian Blue
Lamp Black
Little Greene
Lamp Black
LRV 3

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Washed Linen
Athenian Blue
Washed Linen
Jotun
Washed Linen
LRV 55

Washed Linen reads slightly lighter

Tea with Florence
Athenian Blue
Tea with Florence
Little Greene
Tea with Florence
LRV 18

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Thames Fog
Athenian Blue
Thames Fog
Valspar
Thames Fog
LRV 27

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

Ocean Abyss
Athenian Blue
Ocean Abyss
Behr
Ocean Abyss
LRV 7

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice

Classic Silver
Athenian Blue
Classic Silver
Behr
Classic Silver
LRV 48

Classic Silver reads slightly lighter

Teton Blue
Athenian Blue
Teton Blue
Behr
Teton Blue
LRV 31

Athenian Blue reads noticeably lighter

RAL 110-2
Athenian Blue
RAL 110-2
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-2
LRV 72

RAL 110-2 is the lighter choice

RAL 110-1
Athenian Blue
RAL 110-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-1
LRV 80

RAL 110-1 is the lighter choice

Paper
Athenian Blue
Paper
Tikkurila
Paper
LRV 88

Paper is the lighter choice

Passageway
Athenian Blue
Passageway
Valspar
Passageway
LRV 14

Athenian Blue is the lighter choice