Crimson Red vs Encarmine Red

How close are they?

ΔE 12.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Encarmine Red is a little darker, much more saturated than Crimson Red.

Can I use Encarmine Red instead of Crimson Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Encarmine Red is a little darker, much more saturated than Crimson Red.

Can I use Crimson Red instead of Encarmine Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Crimson Red is a little lighter, much more muted.

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.