Imperial Blue vs Ensign Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 10.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Ensign Blue is a little lighter, cooler than Imperial Blue.

Can I use Ensign Blue instead of Imperial Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Ensign Blue is a little lighter, cooler than Imperial Blue.

Can I use Imperial Blue instead of Ensign Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Imperial Blue is a little darker, warmer.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.