What is the difference between Navy Blue and German Gray?

ΔE 9 (close). German Gray is a little lighter, more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Navy Blue vs German Gray

Navy Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Historical
Code: WP4132P
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #183141 (estimate)

German Gray

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-40
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #30414a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.1, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. German Gray is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than Navy Blue.

Can I use German Gray instead of Navy Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). German Gray is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than Navy Blue.

Can I use Navy Blue instead of German Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: Navy Blue is a little darker, more saturated, 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.

See Navy Blue on the colour wheel See German Gray on the colour wheel

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Navy Blue

Navy Blue vs RLM 70 Black Green (C-18)Mr. Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than German Gray
Navy Blue vs JASDF Deep Ocean Blue (C-375)Mr. Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than German Gray
Navy Blue vs Extra Dark Seagray BS381C/640 (H-333)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than German Gray

Other Army Painter paints close to German Gray

German Gray vs Crow HueWarpaints Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Navy Blue
German Gray vs Scarab GreenWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Navy Blue
German Gray vs Commando Green (WP4058P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Navy Blue

All matches: Navy Blue equivalents · German Gray equivalents