Nato Black's approximate swatch sits in the black family: very dark in tone, muted in saturation, neutral in cast. The leading result in the same broad paint-type group is Monument Pro Acryl Carbon Black, scoring 91 percent digital color similarity. Digital color suggestions within AK Interactive are Ral 7021 Dunkelgrau for a darker step and Reddish Black for a lighter step. Digital similarity provides a shortlist; compare the actual paints before continuing a project.
Nato Black equivalents in other ranges
3 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 Monument Pro Acryl equivalent: Monument Pro Acryl Carbon Black, a small digital color distance (delta E 1.7).
- Best The Army Painter option: The Army Painter Night Sky, close stored digital colors (delta E 1.8).
- From Tamiya: Tamiya X-18 Semi Gloss Black, a small digital color distance (delta E 1.9).
- Vallejo's closest color: Vallejo Glossy Black, similar digital colors (delta E 3.1).
- Nearest in the Scale75 catalog: Scale75 Abyssal Blue, some difference between the stored swatches (delta E 3.2).
- Best Humbrol option: Humbrol 33 Black, similar digital colors (delta E 3.7).
The stored swatches have a small digital color distance of delta E 1.7. 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.
Monument Pro Acryl
The Army Painter
Tamiya
Vallejo
Scale75
Humbrol
Revell
Green Stuff World
Citadel
P3 Paints
Two Thin Coats
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 AK Interactive Nato Black?
The leading match in the same broad paint-type group is Monument Pro Acryl Carbon Black at 91% digital color similarity. Check sheen, medium and coverage before substituting.
Is there a The Army Painter equivalent of Nato Black?
A The Army Painter candidate to check is Night Sky at 91% digital color similarity in the same broad paint-type group. A physical test is still needed.
What color is Nato Black?
The approximate digital swatch for Nato Black is a very dark muted black with a neutral cast (hex #262425). It is not a physical paint measurement.
What do I highlight and shade Nato Black with?
The digital catalog suggests testing Reddish Black for a lighter step and Ral 7021 Dunkelgrau for a darker step, both from AK Interactive. These are computed color suggestions, not tested layering recipes.