The stored digital swatch for NATO Black is a very dark muted grey with a neutral cast. The leading result in the same broad paint-type group is Vallejo German Grey, scoring 92 percent digital color similarity. Digital color suggestions within Tamiya are Rubber Black for a darker step and German Grey for a lighter step. Check the candidate's medium and sheen, then compare dried test patches over the same undercoat.
NATO Black equivalents in other ranges
2 brands have a same-type candidate scoring at least 88% against NATO Black's approximate swatch. Compare the listed options and test the paint before substituting.
- Closest Vallejo equivalent: Vallejo German Grey, a small digital color distance (delta E 1.6).
- Nearest in the Green Stuff World catalog: Green Stuff World Blackroot Grey, close stored digital colors (delta E 1.9).
- Best AK Interactive option: AK Interactive German Grey, some difference between the stored swatches (delta E 2.9).
- From Scale75: Scale75 Abyssal Blue, similar digital colors (delta E 3.1).
- Monument Pro Acryl's closest color: Monument Pro Acryl Carbon Black, some difference between the stored swatches (delta E 3.5).
- Nearest in the Humbrol catalog: Humbrol 182 Black Grey, similar digital colors (delta E 3.9).
The stored swatches have a small digital color distance of delta E 1.6. That does not measure dried-paint appearance, sheen or coverage; compare test patches before substituting.
How to read the score
96–100Very close color
88–95Close color
78–87Similar color
0–77Loose color match
Scores compare approximate digital swatches. Test the paint before substituting.
Vallejo
Green Stuff World
AK Interactive
Scale75
Monument Pro Acryl
Humbrol
Two Thin Coats
Citadel
The Army Painter
Revell
P3 Paints
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Match difficulty
Found in 7 other brands with a similar digital color in the same catalog paint-type group.
Possible uses for this color
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Tamiya NATO Black?
The leading match in the same broad paint-type group is Vallejo German Grey at 92% digital color similarity. Check sheen, medium and coverage before substituting.
What color is NATO Black?
The approximate digital swatch for NATO Black is a very dark muted grey with a neutral cast (hex #303030). It is not a physical paint measurement.
What do I highlight and shade NATO Black with?
The digital catalog suggests testing German Grey for a lighter step and Rubber Black for a darker step, both from Tamiya. These are computed color suggestions, not tested layering recipes.