What is the difference between Light Blue and Sky Blue?

ΔE 9 (close). Sky Blue is a little darker, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Blue vs Sky Blue

Light Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-23
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #70ccdb (estimate)

Sky Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.961
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #6fb8cd (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.0, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Sky Blue is a little darker, cooler than Light Blue.

Can I use Sky Blue instead of Light Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Sky Blue is a little darker, cooler than Light Blue.

Can I use Light Blue instead of Sky Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Blue is a little lighter, 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 Light Blue on the colour wheel See Sky Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Blue

Light Blue vs AII SV. Gol Lt Blue (71.317)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Sky Blue
Light Blue vs Sunrise Blue (72.118)Game Color · ΔE 12, fair
Light Blue vs Aquamarine (72.119)Game Color · ΔE 13, fair

Other Tamiya paints close to Sky Blue

Sky Blue vs Light Ghost Gray (AS-26)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 13, fair
Sky Blue vs Light Blue (Luftwaffe) (AS-5)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 13, fair
Sky Blue vs Clear Blue (TS-72)TS Spray · ΔE 14, fair

All matches: Light Blue equivalents · Sky Blue equivalents