Permanent Maroon vs Dark Red

How close are they?

ΔE 11.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Red is a little lighter, more muted than Permanent Maroon.

Can I use Dark Red instead of Permanent Maroon?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Dark Red is a little lighter, more muted than Permanent Maroon.

Can I use Permanent Maroon instead of Dark Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Permanent Maroon is a little darker, 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.