What is the difference between Olive Drab and Refractive Green?

ΔE 5 (very close). Refractive Green is a little darker, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Olive Drab vs Refractive Green

Olive Drab

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-38
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3f4c3a (estimate)

Refractive Green

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.890
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #394131 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 5.0, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. Refractive Green is a little darker, warmer than Olive Drab.

Can I use Refractive Green instead of Olive Drab?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 5). Refractive Green is a little darker, warmer than Olive Drab.

Can I use Olive Drab instead of Refractive Green?

The same difference applies the other way round: Olive Drab 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.

See Olive Drab on the colour wheel See Refractive Green on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Olive Drab

Olive Drab vs Gunship Green (71.014)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Refractive Green
Olive Drab vs Gunship Green (70.895)Model Color · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Refractive Green
Olive Drab vs NATO Green (70.612)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Refractive Green

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Refractive Green

Refractive Green vs Dark Green 3414 (C-516)Mr. Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Olive Drab
Refractive Green vs RLM 71 Dark Green (H-64)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Olive Drab
Refractive Green vs Dark Green (H-36)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 5, very close

All matches: Olive Drab equivalents · Refractive Green equivalents