Method
Every row reuses the same Delta-E and functional-compatibility logic as the detailed equivalent pages, so the guide is now a synthesis instead of a separate table.
Search paints, armies, and guides at the same time.
This guide now summarizes the same matches surfaced by ChromaStack equivalent pages. Every row reuses the same matching engine as /equivalent/: colour matters, but so do paint type, finish, opacity and real-world usage.
Delta-E only indicates colour closeness. The functional status tells you whether the paint can realistically replace the original.
How to read the table: Delta-E only measures colour closeness. The functional status tells you whether the paint can realistically replace the original based on usage, finish, opacity, and behaviour.
The most used paints in any army — primers, basecoats and highlights.
Essential for Space Marines, Ultramarines, Aeldari and many more.
Blood Angels, Chaos, Khorne — reds are fundamental to dozens of armies.
Bases, straps, skin tones, skulls — the workhorse neutral tones.
Orks, Dark Angels, Death Guard, Salamanders and forest bases.
Imperial Fists, Stormcasts, ornaments — the hardest colour family to substitute.
Every army needs metal — weapons, armour trim, bionics.
The most used paints after basecoats — shades define depth on every miniature.
Mediums and utility paints: product behaviour matters at least as much as raw colour distance here.
What experienced painters wish they knew before switching
Dropper bottles vs pots
Vallejo and Army Painter use dropper bottles — you get precise control over how much paint you use, and bottles last longer since paint doesn't dry out. Citadel pots tend to dry faster once opened.
Consistency differences
Vallejo paints are typically slightly thinner than Citadel. You may need slightly less water when thinning. Army Painter Warpaints are the closest in consistency to Citadel Base paints.
Shades are hardest to substitute
Agrax Earthshade and Nuln Oil have unique flow-improver formulas that help them settle into recesses. Vallejo and Army Painter shades work well but may behave slightly differently — always test first.
Mixing brands is fine
All major miniature paints are water-based acrylics and are fully compatible. Using a Citadel shade over a Vallejo base, or an Army Painter wash over a Citadel layer, works perfectly.
The Delta-E limit
A low ΔE means the colour is close, but it does not always guarantee the same behaviour. For washes, mediums, metallics, clears, varnishes or textures, always test on a spare model or surface before replacing a full recipe.
Use ChromaStack's comparator
For any paint not covered in this guide, use the <a href='/'>ChromaStack colour comparator</a> to find equivalents by hex colour, or browse the <a href='/equivalent/'>full equivalents index</a>.
Useful reference ranges for the most common bottle formats
Price note: these numbers are indicative averages based on current local pricing data. Real prices vary by shop, country, promotion and bottle format.
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Yes — Vallejo and Citadel paints are both water-based acrylics and are fully compatible. You can mix them, apply them over each other, and use Citadel shades over Vallejo base coats (and vice versa) without any issues.
This guide reuses the same calculations as the detailed equivalent pages: Delta-E for colour distance first, then a functional-compatibility filter based on paint family, opacity and expected use.
No reliable substitute is currently displayed in the local catalogue.
No reliable substitute is currently displayed in the local catalogue.
Contrast Medium does not currently show a reliable direct substitute. The closest lead in the guide is Gloss Medium (70.470) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 1.20). Status: needs manual review. For a medium, flow and practical behaviour matter at least as much as colour: always test it on a spare miniature first.