Dark Drab vs Carbon Black

How close are they?

ΔE 13.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Carbon Black is noticeably darker, more muted than Dark Drab.

Can I use Carbon Black instead of Dark Drab?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Carbon Black is noticeably darker, more muted than Dark Drab.

Can I use Dark Drab instead of Carbon Black?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Drab is noticeably lighter, more saturated.

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.