Mars Red vs Red

How close are they?

ΔE 13.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Red is a little lighter, more saturated than Mars Red.

Can I use Red instead of Mars Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Red is a little lighter, more saturated than Mars Red.

Can I use Mars Red instead of Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Mars Red is a little darker, more muted.

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.