Desert Yellow vs Sand Brown

How close are they?

ΔE 11.1, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Sand Brown is a little lighter, more saturated, warmer than Desert Yellow.

Can I use Sand Brown instead of Desert Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Sand Brown is a little lighter, more saturated, warmer than Desert Yellow.

Can I use Desert Yellow instead of Sand Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Desert Yellow is a little darker, more muted, 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.