What is the difference between NATO Brown and BS Dark Earth?

ΔE 9 (close). BS Dark Earth is more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Brown vs BS Dark Earth

NATO Brown

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-68
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #70523a (estimate)

BS Dark Earth

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.323
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5f513d (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.7, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. BS Dark Earth is more muted, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use BS Dark Earth instead of NATO Brown?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). BS Dark Earth is more muted, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of BS Dark Earth?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Brown is 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 BS Dark Earth 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 BS Dark Earth
NATO Brown vs Golden Brown (71.032)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than BS Dark Earth
NATO Brown vs USA Flat Brown (71.026)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than BS Dark Earth

Other Tamiya paints close to BS Dark Earth

BS Dark Earth vs Linoleum Deck Brown (XF-79)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than NATO Brown
BS Dark Earth vs Linoleum Deck Brown (TS-69)TS Spray · ΔE 5, very close · closer than NATO Brown
BS Dark Earth vs NATO Brown (TS-62)TS Spray · ΔE 9, close

All matches: NATO Brown equivalents · BS Dark Earth equivalents