What is the difference between Mephiston Red and Scarlet Red?

ΔE 7 (close). Scarlet Red is more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Mephiston Red vs Scarlet Red

Mephiston Red

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Base
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #9a1a1e (estimate)

Scarlet Red

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.012
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a0262e (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.0, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Scarlet Red is more muted than Mephiston Red.

Can I use Scarlet Red instead of Mephiston Red?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Scarlet Red is more muted than Mephiston Red.

Can I use Mephiston Red instead of Scarlet Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Mephiston Red is 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.

See Mephiston Red on the colour wheel See Scarlet Red on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Mephiston Red

Mephiston Red vs Gory Red (72.011)Game Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Scarlet Red
Mephiston Red vs Ferrari Red (71.085)Model Air · ΔE 7, close
Mephiston Red vs Carmine Red (70.908)Model Color · ΔE 7, close

Other Citadel paints close to Scarlet Red

Scarlet Red vs Mephiston RedColour: Air · ΔE 7, close
Scarlet Red vs Wazdakka RedColour: Layer · ΔE 9, close
Scarlet Red vs Astorath RedColour: Dry · ΔE 14, fair

All matches: Mephiston Red equivalents · Scarlet Red equivalents