What is the difference between NATO Brown and Oak Brown?

ΔE 6 (close). Oak Brown is more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Brown vs Oak Brown

NATO Brown

Brand: AK Interactive
Range: 3rd Gen AFV Series
Code: AK11359
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #412f23 (estimate)

Oak Brown

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3c2c29 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 6.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Oak Brown is more muted, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use Oak Brown instead of NATO Brown?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 6). Oak Brown is more muted, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of Oak Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Brown is more saturated, warmer.

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.

See NATO Brown on the colour wheel See Oak Brown on the colour wheel

Other Army Painter paints close to NATO Brown

NATO Brown vs Mud Spatter (WP4057P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Oak Brown
NATO Brown vs Bootstrap BrownWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Oak Brown
NATO Brown vs Werewolf FurWarpaints Legacy · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Oak Brown

Other AK Interactive paints close to Oak Brown

Oak Brown vs Afro Shadow (AK11276)Color Punch · ΔE 2, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Oak Brown vs S.C.C. No.1A Very Dark Brown (AK11384)3rd Gen AFV Series · ΔE 5, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Oak Brown vs Waffen Brown Grey (AK11416)3rd Gen Figure Series · ΔE 5, very close · closer than NATO Brown

All matches: NATO Brown equivalents · Oak Brown equivalents