Dark Red vs Red

How close are they?

ΔE 10.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Red is more muted, cooler than Dark Red.

Can I use Red instead of Dark Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Red is more muted, cooler than Dark Red.

Can I use Dark Red instead of Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Red is more saturated, 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.