Ultramarine Blue vs Marine Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 10.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Marine Blue is a little darker, more saturated, warmer than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Marine Blue instead of Ultramarine Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Marine Blue is a little darker, more saturated, warmer than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Ultramarine Blue instead of Marine Blue?

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

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.