Vampire Red vs Carnage Red

How close are they?

ΔE 11.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Carnage Red is more saturated, warmer than Vampire Red.

Can I use Carnage Red instead of Vampire Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Carnage Red is more saturated, warmer than Vampire Red.

Can I use Vampire Red instead of Carnage Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Vampire Red is more muted, 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.