What is the difference between Primary Magenta and Scarlet?

ΔE 13 (fair). Scarlet is much more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Primary Magenta vs Scarlet

Primary Magenta

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Code: PV19
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #cb1b26 (estimate)

Scarlet

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.817
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c03734 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 13.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Scarlet is much more muted than Primary Magenta.

Can I use Scarlet instead of Primary Magenta?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Scarlet is much more muted than Primary Magenta.

Can I use Primary Magenta instead of Scarlet?

The same difference applies the other way round: Primary Magenta is much 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 Primary Magenta on the colour wheel See Scarlet on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Primary Magenta

Primary Magenta vs Red RLM23 (71.003)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Scarlet
Primary Magenta vs Scarlet Blood (72.106)Game Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Scarlet
Primary Magenta vs Bloody Red (72.010)Game Color · ΔE 6, close · closer than Scarlet

Other Golden paints close to Scarlet

Scarlet vs C.P. Cadmium Red DarkHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 8, close · closer than Primary Magenta
Scarlet vs Quinacridone CrimsonHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Primary Magenta
Scarlet vs Quinacridone Violet (PV19)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Primary Magenta

All matches: Primary Magenta equivalents · Scarlet equivalents