Carmine vs Mephiston Red

How close are they?

ΔE 14.3, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Mephiston Red is noticeably darker, cooler than Carmine.

Can I use Mephiston Red instead of Carmine?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Mephiston Red is noticeably darker, cooler than Carmine.

Can I use Carmine instead of Mephiston Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Carmine is noticeably lighter, 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.