Encarmine Red vs Dark Crimson

How close are they?

ΔE 14.0, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Crimson is a little darker, much more muted than Encarmine Red.

Can I use Dark Crimson instead of Encarmine Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Dark Crimson is a little darker, much more muted than Encarmine Red.

Can I use Encarmine Red instead of Dark Crimson?

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