C.P. Cadmium Red Dark vs Red

How close are they?

ΔE 13.0, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Red is more muted, cooler than C.P. Cadmium Red Dark.

Can I use Red instead of C.P. Cadmium Red Dark?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Red is more muted, cooler than C.P. Cadmium Red Dark.

Can I use C.P. Cadmium Red Dark instead of Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: C.P. Cadmium Red Dark is more saturated, warmer.

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.