Matt Black vs Black Brown

How close are they?

ΔE 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Black Brown is noticeably lighter, more saturated than Matt Black.

Can I use Black Brown instead of Matt Black?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Black Brown is noticeably lighter, more saturated than Matt Black.

Can I use Matt Black instead of Black Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Matt Black is noticeably darker, more muted.

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.