Magnus the Red vs Violet Red

How close are they?

ΔE 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Violet Red is a little lighter, more muted, warmer than Magnus the Red.

Can I use Violet Red instead of Magnus the Red?

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

Can I use Magnus the Red instead of Violet Red?

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