Dark Blue vs Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 13.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Blue is a little lighter, more saturated, warmer than Dark Blue.

Can I use Blue instead of Dark Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Blue is a little lighter, more saturated, warmer than Dark Blue.

Can I use Dark Blue instead of Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Blue is a little darker, 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.