What is the difference between Pure Orange and Medium Yellow?

ΔE 17 (loose). Medium Yellow is a little lighter, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Pure Orange vs Medium Yellow

Pure Orange

Brand: Tamiya
Range: PS Spray (polycarbonate)
Code: PS-62
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #f58b1e (estimate)

Medium Yellow

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.002
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #f9a70d (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 17.1, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Medium Yellow is a little lighter, cooler than Pure Orange.

Can I use Medium Yellow instead of Pure Orange?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 17). Medium Yellow is a little lighter, cooler than Pure Orange.

Can I use Pure Orange instead of Medium Yellow?

The same difference applies the other way round: Pure Orange is a little darker, 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 Pure Orange on the colour wheel See Medium Yellow on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Pure Orange

Pure Orange vs Sun Yellow (72.006)Game Color · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Medium Yellow
Pure Orange vs Golden Yellow (70.948)Model Color · ΔE 8, close · closer than Medium Yellow
Pure Orange vs Scrofulous Brown (72.038)Game Color · ΔE 10, close · closer than Medium Yellow

Other Tamiya paints close to Medium Yellow

Medium Yellow vs Camel Yellow (TS-34)TS Spray · ΔE 8, close · closer than Pure Orange
Medium Yellow vs Camel Yellow (PS-19)PS Spray (polycarbonate) · ΔE 13, fair · closer than Pure Orange
Medium Yellow vs Pure Orange (TS-98)TS Spray · ΔE 14, fair · closer than Pure Orange

All matches: Pure Orange equivalents · Medium Yellow equivalents