What is the difference between Elf Green and NATO Green?

ΔE 6 (close). NATO Green is more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Elf Green vs NATO Green

Elf Green

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Legacy
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3f4c34 (estimate)

NATO Green

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 70.612
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3e4d3f (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 6.4, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. NATO Green is more muted, cooler than Elf Green.

Can I use NATO Green instead of Elf Green?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 6). NATO Green is more muted, cooler than Elf Green.

Can I use Elf Green instead of NATO Green?

The same difference applies the other way round: Elf Green is 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.

See Elf Green on the colour wheel See NATO Green on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Elf Green

Elf Green vs Medium Olive (70.850)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Green
Elf Green vs Gunship Green (70.895)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Green
Elf Green vs Russian Unif. WWII (70.924)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than NATO Green

Other Army Painter paints close to NATO Green

NATO Green vs Mid Feldgrau (WP4044P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Elf Green
NATO Green vs Woodland CamoWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 6, close
NATO Green vs Dark Drab (WP4026P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 7, close

All matches: Elf Green equivalents · NATO Green equivalents