What is the difference between Ultramarines Blue and Royal Purple?

ΔE 22 (loose). Royal Purple is more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ultramarines Blue vs Royal Purple

Ultramarines Blue

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Contrast
Type: a one-coat contrast-style paint
Swatch: #1a3a8a (estimate)

Royal Purple

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: 1-Step
Code: 501
Type: a one-coat contrast-style paint
Swatch: #5a2a8a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 21.8, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Royal Purple is more saturated, warmer than Ultramarines Blue.

Can I use Royal Purple instead of Ultramarines Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 22). Royal Purple is more saturated, warmer than Ultramarines Blue.

Can I use Ultramarines Blue instead of Royal Purple?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ultramarines Blue is 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 Ultramarines Blue on the colour wheel See Royal Purple on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Ultramarines Blue

Ultramarines Blue vs Deep Blue (520)1-Step · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Royal Purple
Ultramarines Blue vs Blue (500)1-Step · ΔE 17, loose · closer than Royal Purple
Ultramarines Blue vs Dark Purple (515)1-Step · ΔE 21, loose · closer than Royal Purple

Other Citadel paints close to Royal Purple

Royal Purple vs Leviathan PurpleColour: Contrast · ΔE 10, close · closer than Ultramarines Blue
Royal Purple vs Shyish PurpleColour: Contrast · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Ultramarines Blue
Royal Purple vs Luxion PurpleColour: Contrast · ΔE 15, loose · closer than Ultramarines Blue

All matches: Ultramarines Blue equivalents · Royal Purple equivalents