Dark Violet vs Violet

How close are they?

ΔE 11.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Violet is a little darker, more saturated, cooler than Dark Violet.

Can I use Violet instead of Dark Violet?

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

Can I use Dark Violet instead of Violet?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Violet is a little lighter, more muted, 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.