Red Copper vs Imperial Gold

How close are they?

ΔE 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Imperial Gold is more muted, warmer than Red Copper.

Can I use Imperial Gold instead of Red Copper?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Imperial Gold is more muted, warmer than Red Copper.

Can I use Red Copper instead of Imperial Gold?

The same difference applies the other way round: Red Copper is more saturated, cooler.

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.