What is the difference between Sand Grey and USAF Light Gray?

ΔE 13 (fair). USAF Light Gray is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Sand Grey vs USAF Light Gray

Sand Grey

Brand: Nocturna Models
Range: N-Paint Basic
Code: NA15
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d5c4ac (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 13.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. USAF Light Gray is a little darker, more muted than Sand Grey.

Can I use USAF Light Gray instead of Sand Grey?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). USAF Light Gray is a little darker, more muted than Sand Grey.

Can I use Sand Grey instead of USAF Light Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: Sand Grey is a little lighter, 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.

See Sand Grey on the colour wheel See USAF Light Gray on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Sand Grey

Sand Grey vs Cream White (70.766)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than USAF Light Gray
Sand Grey vs Bone White (72.034)Game Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than USAF Light Gray
Sand Grey vs Silver Grey (70.883)Model Color · ΔE 6, close · closer than USAF Light Gray

Other Nocturna Models paints close to USAF Light Gray

USAF Light Gray vs Granite Stone (NA14)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Sand Grey
USAF Light Gray vs Sky Grey (NA16)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 7, close · closer than Sand Grey
USAF Light Gray vs Northern Flesh (NA08)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 19, loose

All matches: Sand Grey equivalents · USAF Light Gray equivalents