Oak Brown vs NATO Black

How close are they?

ΔE 5.5, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. NATO Black is a little darker, cooler than Oak Brown.

Can I use NATO Black instead of Oak Brown?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 5). NATO Black is a little darker, cooler than Oak Brown.

Can I use Oak Brown instead of NATO Black?

The same difference applies the other way round: Oak Brown is a little lighter, 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.