Barrel Grey vs Burnt Umber

How close are they?

ΔE 11.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Burnt Umber is a little lighter, more saturated than Barrel Grey.

Can I use Burnt Umber instead of Barrel Grey?

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

Can I use Barrel Grey instead of Burnt Umber?

The same difference applies the other way round: Barrel Grey 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.