Dark Umber vs German Red Brown

How close are they?

ΔE 5.9, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. German Red Brown is a little lighter, cooler than Dark Umber.

Can I use German Red Brown instead of Dark Umber?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 6). German Red Brown is a little lighter, cooler than Dark Umber.

Can I use Dark Umber instead of German Red Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Umber is a little darker, warmer.

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.