In the pot, Dark Blue reads as a cool blue, very dark and moderate. This is a common color; 7 other brands cover it, the nearest being Revell Night blue/Nachtblau (RAL 5022) at 96 percent. Within the AK Interactive range it ladders cleanly, Amethyst Blue for the shadows and Star Blue for the highlights. In practice you can substitute across brands here without anyone noticing at arm's length.
Dark Blue equivalents across other brands
The short answer: yes, Dark Blue has a true equivalent. If the pot runs dry mid project, here is the closest color each brand offers.
Closest Revell equivalent: Revell Night blue/Nachtblau (RAL 5022), indistinguishable once dry (delta E 0.8).
- Best Humbrol option: Humbrol Insignia Blue, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 2.1).
- From Vallejo: Vallejo Dark Blue, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 2.7).
- The Army Painter's closest color: The Army Painter Triumphant Navy, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.0).
- Nearest in the Green Stuff World catalog: Green Stuff World Lapislazuli, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.4).
- Best Tamiya option: Tamiya Dark Blue, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.9).
We checked the Lab numbers for a hidden catch and there is none: lightness and temperature both line up, so this swap is as safe as they come.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
Revell
Humbrol
Vallejo
The Army Painter
Green Stuff World
Tamiya
P3 Paints
Citadel
Monument Pro Acryl
Scale75
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Pairs well with
Try any paint in the scheme toolMatch difficulty
Found in 7 other brands with a same-finish match.
Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to AK Interactive Dark Blue?
The closest same-finish match is Revell Night blue/Nachtblau (RAL 5022) at 96% color similarity.
Is there a Vallejo equivalent of Dark Blue?
Yes. The closest Vallejo option is Dark Blue at 86%, a same-finish match.
What color is Dark Blue?
Dark Blue is a very dark moderate blue with a cool undertone (hex #242C5A).
What do I highlight and shade Dark Blue with?
Highlight Dark Blue toward Star Blue and shade it down into Amethyst Blue, both AK Interactive paints in the same finish family.