What is the difference between Ultramarine Blue and Cobalt Blue?

ΔE 18 (loose). Cobalt Blue is a little darker, much more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ultramarine Blue vs Cobalt Blue

Ultramarine Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Air
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2a4a98 (estimate)

Cobalt Blue

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-80
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2e3192 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 18.3, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Cobalt Blue is a little darker, much more saturated, warmer than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Cobalt Blue instead of Ultramarine Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 18). Cobalt Blue is a little darker, much more saturated, warmer than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Ultramarine Blue instead of Cobalt Blue?

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

See Ultramarine Blue on the colour wheel See Cobalt Blue on the colour wheel

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Ultramarine Blue

Ultramarine Blue vs Blue (C-5)Mr. Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue vs Blue (H-5)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue vs Blue (N-5)Acrysion · ΔE 7, close · closer than Cobalt Blue

Other Army Painter paints close to Cobalt Blue

Cobalt Blue vs Alien PurpleWarpaints Air · ΔE 13, fair · closer than Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue vs Alien PurpleWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 17, loose · closer than Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue vs Magecast MagentaWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 20, loose

All matches: Ultramarine Blue equivalents · Cobalt Blue equivalents