Orange Brown vs Tan

How close are they?

ΔE 10.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Tan is a little lighter, cooler than Orange Brown.

Can I use Tan instead of Orange Brown?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Tan is a little lighter, cooler than Orange Brown.

Can I use Orange Brown instead of Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Orange Brown is a little darker, 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.