What is the difference between Ultramarine Blue and Primary Cyan?

ΔE 17 (loose). Primary Cyan is noticeably lighter, more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ultramarine Blue vs Primary Cyan

Ultramarine Blue

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

Primary Cyan

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: Expert Acrylics
Code: E014
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1a6ab0 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 17.2, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Primary Cyan is noticeably lighter, more muted, cooler than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Primary Cyan instead of Ultramarine Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 17). Primary Cyan is noticeably lighter, more muted, cooler than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Ultramarine Blue instead of Primary Cyan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ultramarine Blue is noticeably 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 Ultramarine Blue on the colour wheel See Primary Cyan on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Ultramarine Blue

Ultramarine Blue vs Blue (005)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 10, close · closer than Primary Cyan
Ultramarine Blue vs Ultramarine (S35)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Primary Cyan
Ultramarine Blue vs Dark Blue (034)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Primary Cyan

Other Army Painter paints close to Primary Cyan

Primary Cyan vs Crystal BlueWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Ultramarine Blue
Primary Cyan vs Crystal BlueWarpaints Air · ΔE 6, close · closer than Ultramarine Blue
Primary Cyan vs Sapphire GemWarpaints Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Ultramarine Blue

All matches: Ultramarine Blue equivalents · Primary Cyan equivalents