Rotten Yellow vs Desert Tan

How close are they?

ΔE 14.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Tan is noticeably darker, more muted, warmer than Rotten Yellow.

Can I use Desert Tan instead of Rotten Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Desert Tan is noticeably darker, more muted, warmer than Rotten Yellow.

Can I use Rotten Yellow instead of Desert Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Rotten Yellow is noticeably lighter, more saturated, cooler.

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.