Papyrus vs Desert Ochre

How close are they?

ΔE 13.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Ochre is a little darker, warmer than Papyrus.

Can I use Desert Ochre instead of Papyrus?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Desert Ochre is a little darker, warmer than Papyrus.

Can I use Papyrus instead of Desert Ochre?

The same difference applies the other way round: Papyrus is a little lighter, cooler.

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.