Beige vs Desert Tan

How close are they?

ΔE 11.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Tan is a little darker, more muted than Beige.

Can I use Desert Tan instead of Beige?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Desert Tan is a little darker, more muted than Beige.

Can I use Beige instead of Desert Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Beige is a little lighter, more saturated.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.