Mephiston Red vs Alizarin Crimson

How close are they?

ΔE 13.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Alizarin Crimson is a little lighter, much more saturated than Mephiston Red.

Can I use Alizarin Crimson instead of Mephiston Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Alizarin Crimson is a little lighter, much more saturated than Mephiston Red.

Can I use Mephiston Red instead of Alizarin Crimson?

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