Buff vs USAF Tan

How close are they?

ΔE 11.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. USAF Tan is a little darker, more saturated than Buff.

Can I use USAF Tan instead of Buff?

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

Can I use Buff instead of USAF Tan?

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

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.