Tanned Shadow vs US Desert Sand

How close are they?

ΔE 10.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. US Desert Sand is a little lighter, more muted, warmer than Tanned Shadow.

Can I use US Desert Sand instead of Tanned Shadow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). US Desert Sand is a little lighter, more muted, warmer than Tanned Shadow.

Can I use Tanned Shadow instead of US Desert Sand?

The same difference applies the other way round: Tanned Shadow is a little darker, more saturated, cooler.

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.