Dark Red Tone vs Dark Shade

How close are they?

ΔE 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Shade is noticeably lighter, more muted than Dark Red Tone.

Can I use Dark Shade instead of Dark Red Tone?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Dark Shade is noticeably lighter, more muted than Dark Red Tone.

Can I use Dark Red Tone instead of Dark Shade?

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

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.