Smalt vs RAL 640-M
Smalt (Little Greene) and RAL 640-M (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 6 vs 5 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. ΔE 6.8 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Smalt vs RAL 640-M in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Smalt and RAL 640-M are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
Color Details
Smalt vs RAL 640-M Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Smalt on one side and RAL 640-M on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Smalt comparisons
See how Smalt stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
