Color-wise this is a moderate, light yellow leaning warm. This is a common color; 7 other brands cover it, the nearest being Vallejo Dark Sand at 95 percent. For modelling, drop to Desert Yellow in the recesses and step up to Sand on the edges, both Tamiya paints. Treat it as an easy swap, just confirm the finish type matches before you commit.
Buff equivalents, brand by brand
2 of the 10 brands with a mapped match get genuinely close to Tamiya Buff, though none is a clone. Brand by brand, the nearest colors are:
- Closest Vallejo equivalent: Vallejo Dark Sand, the same color for practical purposes (delta E 1.0).
- Nearest in the Green Stuff World catalog: Green Stuff World Zombie Flesh, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 2.3).
- Best The Army Painter option: The Army Painter Barren Dune, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.1).
- From Citadel: Citadel Morghast Bone, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.1).
- The Two Thin Coats pick: Two Thin Coats Flak Gun Yellow, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.5).
- Nearest in the AK Interactive catalog: AK Interactive Dark Sand, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.5).
We checked the Lab numbers for a hidden catch and there is none: lightness and temperature both line up, so this swap is as safe as they come.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
Vallejo
Green Stuff World
The Army Painter
Citadel
Two Thin Coats
AK Interactive
Revell
Monument Pro Acryl
Humbrol
Scale75
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Match difficulty
Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Tamiya Buff?
The closest same-finish match is Vallejo Dark Sand at 95% color similarity.
What color is Buff?
Buff is a light moderate yellow with a warm undertone (hex #C8A868).
What do I highlight and shade Buff with?
Highlight Buff toward Sand and shade it down into Desert Yellow, both Tamiya paints in the same finish family.