CARC Tan 686A (FS33446) vs US Earth Yellow

How close are they?

ΔE 5.2, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. US Earth Yellow is more saturated than CARC Tan 686A (FS33446).

Can I use US Earth Yellow instead of CARC Tan 686A (FS33446)?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 5). US Earth Yellow is more saturated than CARC Tan 686A (FS33446).

Can I use CARC Tan 686A (FS33446) instead of US Earth Yellow?

The same difference applies the other way round: CARC Tan 686A (FS33446) is more muted.

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.