Mars Red vs Amaranth Red

How close are they?

ΔE 11.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Amaranth Red is a little lighter, more muted than Mars Red.

Can I use Amaranth Red instead of Mars Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Amaranth Red is a little lighter, more muted than Mars Red.

Can I use Mars Red instead of Amaranth Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Mars Red is a little 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.