What is the difference between Steel Legion Drab and NATO Brown?

ΔE 8 (close). NATO Brown is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Steel Legion Drab vs NATO Brown

Steel Legion Drab

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Base
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5a4a3a (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 8.4, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. NATO Brown is a little darker, more muted than Steel Legion Drab.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of Steel Legion Drab?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). NATO Brown is a little darker, more muted than Steel Legion Drab.

Can I use Steel Legion Drab instead of NATO Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Steel Legion Drab is a little lighter, more saturated.

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 Steel Legion Drab on the colour wheel See NATO Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Steel Legion Drab

Steel Legion Drab vs Camou. Pale Brown (71.035)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Steel Legion Drab vs US Field Drab (71.139)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Steel Legion Drab vs IJA Khaki Brown (71.287)Model Air · ΔE 3, 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 Steel Legion Drab
NATO Brown vs Eshin GreyColour: Layer · ΔE 6, close · closer than Steel Legion Drab
NATO Brown vs Mechanicus Standard GreyColour: Base · ΔE 11, fair

All matches: Steel Legion Drab equivalents · NATO Brown equivalents