Tan and brown are two common colors that are often used to describe similar shades. While they can appear very similar, there are some key differences between tan and brown that set them apart. Understanding the relationship between tan and brown can help define them more clearly.
Defining Tan
Tan is often considered a light brown shade. However, tan is technically defined as a pale tone of brown with a yellowish or golden tinge. The key distinguishing factor of tan is the subtle warm, yellow undertone. Tans are created by mixing brown with yellow, white or orange. This results in desaturated, muted shades.
Some common tans include camel, khaki, sand, beige, bronze, copper and cinnamon. When you think of “tan skin” or clothing like “tan pants,” these are referring to yellowish-browns, not true solid browns. Tans work well as neutral colors and are versatile for pairing with other shades.
Defining Brown
Brown is a darker, richer color that lacks the golden undertones of tan. Browns are created by mixing other colors with black or by darkening orange, red or yellow. Some people may use “brown” as a broad term to describe any brownish color, including tans.
However, true browns have more saturated, pure undertones without the pale yellow influence. Different shades of brown include chocolate, coffee, caramel, hazelnut, chestnut, cinnamon and honey. Dark browns like chocolate or coffee have more black mixed in, while lighter browns like beige are closer to an orangey tan.
Comparing Tan and Brown
Here is a quick comparison of some of the main characteristics of tan vs brown:
| Tan | Brown |
| Yellowish, golden undertone | Orange, red or neutral undertone |
| Desaturated, muted, softer | Saturated, bold, richer |
| Light, pale brown | Dark, deep brown |
| Beige, khaki, sand, bronze, copper | Chocolate, coffee, chestnut, cinnamon, hazelnut |
This table summarizes how tan tends to be a muted, softer version of brown with distinct golden yellow undertones. Brown has more color intensity and can be very dark.
The Origins of Tan vs Brown
The origins and historical usage of the words “tan” and “brown” also provide some context into how they differentiate.
The word “tan” originated from the Old English word “tannian” meaning to convert hide into leather through a process using tannin. This produced a yellowish-brown shade that we now associate with the color tan.
The term was then adopted in the late 16th century from the French word “tané” meaning tan-colored or any yellowish-brown. At that time, tan was commonly used to describe sun-tanned skin or the colors ofcertain animals like tan horses.
In comparison, “brown” has origins in Old English “brún” meaning to shine or glisten, likely referring to polished wood or animal furs. Brown was used to describe dark hair and eyes since ancient times. Over the centuries, brown became an umbrella term for any brownish color.
So tan had more specific roots tied to yellowish leather processing, while brown originally meant shiny or glossy then adopted any brown shade.
Tans in Fashion and Design
In fashion and interior design, tan and brown are both extremely popular neutral colors. However, they serve different purposes.
Tans are versatile neutrals that add soft, earthy warmth without being overpowering. Tans work well in clothing like tan pants, coats, shirts and shoes. Tan upholstery or rugs can add gentle contrast while still blending with other colors.
In comparison, browns have a deeper, richer presence that stands out more. Dark brown leather jackets or shoes make bold statements. Chocolate brown sofas or walls feel elegant and upscale. Even lighter browns read as more solid than pale tans.
| Tans | Browns |
| Softer, more subtle | Bolder, more saturated |
| Casual, relaxed vibe | Sophisticated, elegant vibe |
| Earthy, muted | Dramatic, intense |
| Beige, khaki, nude, sand | Cocoa, espresso, chestnut |
This showcases how tan and brown elicit slightly different feelings despite being close in hue. Tans work well for casual everyday wear, while browns make more dramatic high fashion statements.
Tanning of Skin
When describing skin tones, “tan” refers to darkening or browning of the skin from sun exposure. Tanned skin develops a golden, yellowish-brown tone vs just a pure brown darkening.
Here’s why: the melanin in your skin darkens in response to UV exposure. Melanin comes in two forms – eumelanin which appears brown-black, and pheomelanin which leans reddish-yellow.
Most people produce more pheomelanin, which is why prolonged sun exposure shifts the skin yellowish and “tan.” People with more eumelanin tend to brown without lightening. So a tan skin tone differs from a naturally darker brown skin tone.
This demonstrates why “tan” refers to a specific type of skin darkening distinct from just “brown.” A tan is a uniquely golden-hued brown shade.
Mixing Paint Colors
To create tan paint colors, you specifically mix in yellows, oranges and browns. Adding only brown produces a darker brown – not an authentic, desaturated tan.
For example:
| Tan paint | Brown paint |
| Yellow ochre + raw sienna + burnt umber | Burnt umber + raw umber + black |
The tan mixes in softer yellows and oranges to mute down the brown. In contrast, mixing complementary browns with black generates a deeper solid brown without golden undertones.
This demonstrates why tan can’t be created by just adding white or lightening a brown. It specifically requires blending in yellow/orange hues.
Lighting Conditions
Lighting can also impact how brown and tan are perceived. Yellowish light – like indoors under incandescent lighting – can make both browns and tans appear slightly more golden.
Meanwhile, neutral white light – like bright sunlight – shows the true undertones of colors more accurately. This lighting may make some tans look muddy or olive rather than distinctly yellow-brown.
So what appears clearly “tan” under indoor lighting may just reveal itself to be a light brown in normal conditions. The yellow cast of indoor lighting can exaggerate a pale brown into looking more tan.
Conclusion
While tan and brown are very close in hue, tan has a distinctly yellowish-golden tone compared to true browns. Tans are created by softening and desaturating browns by adding in yellow, orange and white.
Brown is a broader color category encompassing any darker or reduced orange, red or yellow. Light tans are at the crossover point between yellow and brown. But they retain enough golden warmth to differentiate them from being pure light browns.
So in summary, tan is technically a type of pale brown but with a uniquely yellowish tinge. All tans are browned, but not all light browns can be considered truly tan.
The key is that small addition of yellow that softens a brown into a tan. Without any yellow influence, a color cannot be a true tan.
