RAL 8012 Rotbraun vs Brown RLM26

How close are they?

ΔE 12.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Brown RLM26 is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than RAL 8012 Rotbraun.

Can I use Brown RLM26 instead of RAL 8012 Rotbraun?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Brown RLM26 is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than RAL 8012 Rotbraun.

Can I use RAL 8012 Rotbraun instead of Brown RLM26?

The same difference applies the other way round: RAL 8012 Rotbraun is a little darker, 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.