How does Chinese Blue by Farrow & Ball compare with Johnstone's’s closest paints? The nearest match by perceptual distance is Johnstone's American Anthem (ΔE 2.3, “near-identical”). 2 more Johnstone's colours sit within ΔE 4 — close enough that the difference is hard to spot once paint’s on the wall. These 3 Johnstone's paints are all priced at £12.36 per litre, against Farrow & Ball Chinese Blue at £25.60/L.
Farrow & Ball Chinese Blue vs Johnstone's
3 closest Johnstone's matches ranked by ΔE
ΔE (CIEDE2000) is a perceptual distance metric — lower means a closer match. Matches under ΔE 2 are typically indistinguishable; ΔE 2–4 looks “the same” once dry on a wall; ΔE 4–6 is noticeable side-by-side. Always view a sample pot before committing — screen colours and lighting vary.
| Colour | Number | ΔE | Match quality | Price/L | Price/m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Anthem | — | 2.3 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| French Pottery | — | 2.7 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Walden Pond | — | 3.0 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |