Burnt Umber vs Tan

How close are they?

ΔE 12.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Tan is a little lighter, more saturated than Burnt Umber.

Can I use Tan instead of Burnt Umber?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Tan is a little lighter, more saturated than Burnt Umber.

Can I use Burnt Umber instead of Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Burnt Umber 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.