Dawnstone vs IJN Gray

How close are they?

ΔE 11.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. IJN Gray is a little lighter, more saturated than Dawnstone.

Can I use IJN Gray instead of Dawnstone?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). IJN Gray is a little lighter, more saturated than Dawnstone.

Can I use Dawnstone instead of IJN Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dawnstone is a little 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.