NATO Black vs Dark Sea Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 10.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Sea Blue is a little lighter, more saturated than NATO Black.

Can I use Dark Sea Blue instead of NATO Black?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Dark Sea Blue is a little lighter, more saturated than NATO Black.

Can I use NATO Black instead of Dark Sea Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Black is a little darker, more muted.

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.