Yellow Ochre vs Desert Yellow

How close are they?

ΔE 11.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Yellow is more saturated, cooler than Yellow Ochre.

Can I use Desert Yellow instead of Yellow Ochre?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Desert Yellow is more saturated, cooler than Yellow Ochre.

Can I use Yellow Ochre instead of Desert Yellow?

The same difference applies the other way round: Yellow Ochre is more muted, 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.