Ochre Desert vs Yellow Ochre

How close are they?

ΔE 12.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Yellow Ochre is more muted than Ochre Desert.

Can I use Yellow Ochre instead of Ochre Desert?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Yellow Ochre is more muted than Ochre Desert.

Can I use Ochre Desert instead of Yellow Ochre?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ochre Desert is 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.