Ultramarine Blue vs Imperial Navy

How close are they?

ΔE 10.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Imperial Navy is a little darker, more saturated than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Imperial Navy instead of Ultramarine Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Imperial Navy is a little darker, more saturated than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Ultramarine Blue instead of Imperial Navy?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ultramarine Blue is a little lighter, more muted.

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.