What is the difference between Flat Brown and Chestnut Brown?

ΔE 6 (very close). Chestnut Brown is a little darker, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Flat Brown vs Chestnut Brown

Flat Brown

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-10
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5b3e38 (estimate)

Chestnut Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.746
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #523536 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 5.7, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. Chestnut Brown is a little darker, cooler than Flat Brown.

Can I use Chestnut Brown instead of Flat Brown?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 6). Chestnut Brown is a little darker, cooler than Flat Brown.

Can I use Flat Brown instead of Chestnut Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Flat Brown 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 Flat Brown on the colour wheel See Chestnut Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Flat Brown

Flat Brown vs German Red Brown (71.271)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Chestnut Brown
Flat Brown vs Flat Brown (70.984)Model Color · ΔE 6, close
Flat Brown vs Rust (71.080)Model Air · ΔE 6, close

Other Tamiya paints close to Chestnut Brown

Chestnut Brown vs Red Brown 2 (XF-90)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 6, very close
Chestnut Brown vs NATO Black (TS-63)TS Spray · ΔE 10, fair
Chestnut Brown vs Red Brown (XF-64)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 12, fair

All matches: Flat Brown equivalents · Chestnut Brown equivalents