What is the difference between Calgar Blue and Brilliant Blue?

ΔE 10 (close). Brilliant Blue is a little lighter, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Calgar Blue vs Brilliant Blue

Calgar Blue

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Layer
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2a60a8 (estimate)

Brilliant Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: PS Spray (polycarbonate)
Code: PS-30
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #0070b4 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.8, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Brilliant Blue is a little lighter, cooler than Calgar Blue.

Can I use Brilliant Blue instead of Calgar Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). Brilliant Blue is a little lighter, cooler than Calgar Blue.

Can I use Calgar Blue instead of Brilliant Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Calgar Blue is a little darker, 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 Calgar Blue on the colour wheel See Brilliant Blue on the colour wheel

Other Tamiya paints close to Calgar Blue

Calgar Blue vs Translucent Blue (PS-38)PS Spray (polycarbonate) · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Brilliant Blue
Calgar Blue vs Pure Blue (TS-93)TS Spray · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Brilliant Blue
Calgar Blue vs Blue (X-4)X Gloss Acrylic · ΔE 6, close · closer than Brilliant Blue

Other Citadel paints close to Brilliant Blue

Brilliant Blue vs Imrik BlueColour: Dry · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Calgar Blue
Brilliant Blue vs Teclis BlueColour: Layer · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Calgar Blue
Brilliant Blue vs Caledor SkyColour: Base · ΔE 10, close · closer than Calgar Blue

All matches: Calgar Blue equivalents · Brilliant Blue equivalents