Carmine vs Imperial Red

How close are they?

ΔE 5.6, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. Imperial Red is a little darker, more saturated than Carmine.

Can I use Imperial Red instead of Carmine?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 6). Imperial Red is a little darker, more saturated than Carmine.

Can I use Carmine instead of Imperial Red?

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