Ultramar Blue vs Medium Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 5.6, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. Medium Blue is a little darker, more muted than Ultramar Blue.

Can I use Medium Blue instead of Ultramar Blue?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 6). Medium Blue is a little darker, more muted than Ultramar Blue.

Can I use Ultramar Blue instead of Medium Blue?

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

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.