What is the difference between NATO Brown and Saddle Brown?

ΔE 15 (fair). Saddle Brown is a little lighter, more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Brown vs Saddle Brown

NATO Brown

Brand: Tamiya
Range: TS Spray
Code: TS-62
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #70523a (estimate)

Saddle Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.940
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #805f5d (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Saddle Brown is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use Saddle Brown instead of NATO Brown?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Saddle Brown is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of Saddle Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Brown is a little darker, more saturated, 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 NATO Brown on the colour wheel See Saddle Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to NATO Brown

NATO Brown vs Beige Brown (70.875)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Saddle Brown
NATO Brown vs Golden Brown (71.032)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Saddle Brown
NATO Brown vs USA Flat Brown (71.026)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Saddle Brown

Other Tamiya paints close to Saddle Brown

Saddle Brown vs Dark Earth (AS-22)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 3, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Saddle Brown vs Red Brown (TS-1)TS Spray · ΔE 10, fair · closer than NATO Brown
Saddle Brown vs NATO Brown (XF-68)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 15, fair

All matches: NATO Brown equivalents · Saddle Brown equivalents