What is the difference between N8 Neutral Gray and USAF Light Gray?

ΔE 9 (close). USAF Light Gray is a little darker. Swatch colours are estimates.

N8 Neutral Gray vs USAF Light Gray

N8 Neutral Gray

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #cbced0 (estimate)

USAF Light Gray

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.276
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b5bdb5 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.9, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. USAF Light Gray is a little darker than N8 Neutral Gray.

Can I use USAF Light Gray instead of N8 Neutral Gray?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). USAF Light Gray is a little darker than N8 Neutral Gray.

Can I use N8 Neutral Gray instead of USAF Light Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: N8 Neutral Gray is a little lighter.

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 N8 Neutral Gray on the colour wheel See USAF Light Gray on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to N8 Neutral Gray

N8 Neutral Gray vs White Grey (70.993)Model Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than USAF Light Gray
N8 Neutral Gray vs Wolf Grey (72.047)Game Color · ΔE 6, close · closer than USAF Light Gray
N8 Neutral Gray vs Liquid Mask (70.523)Model Air · ΔE 6, close · closer than USAF Light Gray

Other Golden paints close to USAF Light Gray

USAF Light Gray vs N7 Neutral GrayHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 5, very close · closer than N8 Neutral Gray
USAF Light Gray vs Titan Green Pale (PW6 / PY42 / PBr7 / PG7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 13, fair
USAF Light Gray vs N6 Neutral GrayHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 14, fair

All matches: N8 Neutral Gray equivalents · USAF Light Gray equivalents