What is the difference between Drab Brown and NATO Brown?

ΔE 9 (close). NATO Brown is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Drab Brown vs NATO Brown

Drab Brown

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: Standard / Signature / AMP
Code: S40
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5e4e3e (estimate)

NATO Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.249
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #4f433f (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.1, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. NATO Brown is a little darker, more muted than Drab Brown.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of Drab Brown?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). NATO Brown is a little darker, more muted than Drab Brown.

Can I use Drab Brown instead of NATO Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Drab Brown 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 Drab Brown on the colour wheel See NATO Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Drab Brown

Drab Brown vs Camou. Pale Brown (71.035)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Drab Brown vs US Field Drab (71.139)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Drab Brown vs IJA Khaki Brown (71.287)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Brown

Other Pro Acryl paints close to NATO Brown

NATO Brown vs Dark Warm Grey (016)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Drab Brown
NATO Brown vs Dark Neutral Grey (044)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 8, close · closer than Drab Brown
NATO Brown vs Mahogany (009)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 11, fair

All matches: Drab Brown equivalents · NATO Brown equivalents