What is the difference between Tan (USAF) and Khaki?

ΔE 11 (fair). Khaki is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Tan (USAF) vs Khaki

Tan (USAF)

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-15
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b5926c (estimate)

Khaki

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.061
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #cfab77 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 11.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Khaki is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Tan (USAF).

Can I use Khaki instead of Tan (USAF)?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Khaki is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Tan (USAF).

Can I use Tan (USAF) instead of Khaki?

The same difference applies the other way round: Tan (USAF) is a little darker, more muted, 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 Tan (USAF) on the colour wheel See Khaki on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Tan (USAF)

Tan (USAF) vs Light Brown (71.027)Model Air · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Khaki
Tan (USAF) vs Barbarian Skin (72.071)Game Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Khaki
Tan (USAF) vs USAF Tan (71.348)Model Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Khaki

Other Tamiya paints close to Khaki

Khaki vs Light Sand (TS-46)TS Spray · ΔE 7, close · closer than Tan (USAF)
Khaki vs Desert Yellow (XF-59)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Tan (USAF)
Khaki vs Buff (XF-57)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Tan (USAF)

All matches: Tan (USAF) equivalents · Khaki equivalents