What is the difference between Buff and Light Brown?

ΔE 11 (fair). Light Brown is a little darker, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Buff vs Light Brown

Buff

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-57
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c39f7d (estimate)

Light Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.027
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a4885f (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 10.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Light Brown is a little darker, cooler than Buff.

Can I use Light Brown instead of Buff?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Light Brown is a little darker, cooler than Buff.

Can I use Buff instead of Light Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Buff is a little lighter, 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.

See Buff on the colour wheel See Light Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Buff

Buff vs Pale Flesh (74.015)Fantasy-Pro · ΔE 7, close · closer than Light Brown
Buff vs Sand Beige (71.244)Model Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than Light Brown
Buff vs Barbarian Skin (72.071)Game Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than Light Brown

Other Tamiya paints close to Light Brown

Light Brown vs Tan (USAF) (AS-15)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Buff
Light Brown vs Wooden Deck Tan (XF-78)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 13, fair
Light Brown vs Wooden Deck Tan (TS-68)TS Spray · ΔE 13, fair

All matches: Buff equivalents · Light Brown equivalents