Compare Guide
How to interpret paint comparisons on PaintAtlas
The compare tool is the fastest way to evaluate a shortlist after you have already discovered a few candidate paints. Instead of relying on memory or scattered swatches, this page puts multiple paints side by side so you can review color distance, finish, opacity, and basic technical properties in one place.
Delta E on this page measures the distance between the listed digital color values. A low value means two catalog entries are close in digital color; it does not confirm that the paints look identical on a miniature, because finish, opacity, and surface coverage are not part of the calculation.
A close catalog match is not always the right answer. Painters often use this page to distinguish between a candidate replacement and a companion color. A small ΔE points to an entry worth testing as a replacement. A larger gap suggests a companion that can create layering contrast, recipe depth, or controlled variation across armor panels, cloth, skin, or scenery.
The compare page works best when paired with the broader catalog. Browse brands such as Vallejo, AK Interactive, Army Painter, and Mr. Paint, explore heavily searched color families like Orange, Grey, Red, and Yellow, then return here to pressure-test the final shortlist. That workflow keeps the compare page focused on decision making instead of initial discovery.
Related Pages
How PaintAtlas measures color matches
Read how catalog ΔE is computed and what it does not cover.
Start from the full catalog
Find candidate paints before comparing them.
Browse all paint brands
Open manufacturer hubs before building a shortlist.
Vallejo paint range
Use Vallejo as a brand-level starting point.
AK Interactive paint range
Use AK Interactive as a brand-level starting point.
Army Painter paint range
Use Army Painter as a brand-level starting point.
Orange paints
Explore the orange family before comparing named paints.
Grey paints
Explore the grey family before comparing named paints.
Red paints
Explore the red family before comparing named paints.
Common Questions
What does Delta E mean when comparing paints?
Delta E is a color-distance measurement between the listed digital color values. Lower values mean two catalog entries are close in digital color; higher values mean they sit further apart. It does not measure finish, opacity, or how the paint covers a surface.
When is a paint a substitute instead of a companion color?
A paint is a candidate replacement when the catalog ΔE is low and the catalog type and finish sit in the same class. It is more of a companion color when the gap is large enough to create deliberate contrast in a layered scheme.
Should I compare paints before or after browsing brand and color pages?
Use brand and color pages first for discovery, then use the compare page after you have narrowed your options to a practical shortlist.
Does the compare page replace individual paint profiles?
No. The compare page is best for side-by-side decisions, while individual paint profiles give you more surrounding context such as related alternatives, brand placement, and route-specific internal links.