Hot Pink vs Pastel Pink

How close are they?

ΔE 14.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Pastel Pink is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Hot Pink.

Can I use Pastel Pink instead of Hot Pink?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Pastel Pink is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Hot Pink.

Can I use Hot Pink instead of Pastel Pink?

The same difference applies the other way round: Hot Pink is a little darker, 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.