What is the difference between NATO Black and Olive Brown?

ΔE 7 (close). Olive Brown is a little lighter, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Black vs Olive Brown

NATO Black

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-69
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #231f20 (estimate)

Olive Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.889
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #322621 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Olive Brown is a little lighter, more saturated than NATO Black.

Can I use Olive Brown instead of NATO Black?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Olive Brown is a little lighter, more saturated than NATO Black.

Can I use NATO Black instead of Olive Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Black is a little darker, 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.

See NATO Black on the colour wheel See Olive Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to NATO Black

NATO Black vs Black Grey (70.862)Model Color · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Olive Brown
NATO Black vs German Grey (70.995)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Olive Brown
NATO Black vs Gloss Black (70.861)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Olive Brown

Other Tamiya paints close to Olive Brown

Olive Brown vs NATO Black (TS-63)TS Spray · ΔE 7, close · closer than NATO Black
Olive Brown vs Rubber Black (XF-85)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 7, close
Olive Brown vs Semi Gloss Black (X-18)X Gloss Acrylic · ΔE 7, close

All matches: NATO Black equivalents · Olive Brown equivalents