What is the difference between Navy Blue and French Blue?

ΔE 18 (loose). French Blue is much more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Navy Blue vs French Blue

Navy Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-8
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #023e87 (estimate)

French Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.088
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #294370 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 18.4, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. French Blue is much more muted, cooler than Navy Blue.

Can I use French Blue instead of Navy Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 18). French Blue is much more muted, cooler than Navy Blue.

Can I use Navy Blue instead of French Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Navy Blue is much more saturated, 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 Navy Blue on the colour wheel See French Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Navy Blue

Navy Blue vs Royal Blue (70.809)Model Color · ΔE 8, close · closer than French Blue
Navy Blue vs Imperial Blue (72.020)Game Color · ΔE 13, fair · closer than French Blue
Navy Blue vs Violet Vamp (74.030)Fantasy-Pro · ΔE 13, fair · closer than French Blue

Other Tamiya paints close to French Blue

French Blue vs Royal Blue (X-3)X Gloss Acrylic · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Navy Blue
French Blue vs Sea Blue (XF-17)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Navy Blue
French Blue vs Dark Blue (TS-55)TS Spray · ΔE 14, fair · closer than Navy Blue

All matches: Navy Blue equivalents · French Blue equivalents