What is the difference between Mechanicus Standard Grey and NATO Brown?

ΔE 11 (fair). Swatch colours are estimates.

Mechanicus Standard Grey vs NATO Brown

Mechanicus Standard Grey

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Base
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3a4048 (estimate)

NATO Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.249
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #4f433f (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 11.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Our swatches for the two are almost the same.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of Mechanicus Standard Grey?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). The swatches are almost the same.

Can I use Mechanicus Standard Grey instead of NATO Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round.

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 Mechanicus Standard Grey on the colour wheel See NATO Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Mechanicus Standard Grey

Mechanicus Standard Grey vs AMT-12 Dark Grey (71.308)Model Air · ΔE 1, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Mechanicus Standard Grey vs USN Sea Blue (71.295)Model Air · ΔE 1, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Mechanicus Standard Grey vs Blue Grey (71.115)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than NATO Brown

Other Citadel paints close to NATO Brown

NATO Brown vs Skavenblight DingeColour: Layer · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Mechanicus Standard Grey
NATO Brown vs Eshin GreyColour: Layer · ΔE 6, close · closer than Mechanicus Standard Grey
NATO Brown vs Steel Legion DrabColour: Base · ΔE 8, close · closer than Mechanicus Standard Grey

All matches: Mechanicus Standard Grey equivalents · NATO Brown equivalents