Crimson vs Cardinal Purple

How close are they?

ΔE 10.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Cardinal Purple is a little lighter, more saturated than Crimson.

Can I use Cardinal Purple instead of Crimson?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Cardinal Purple is a little lighter, more saturated than Crimson.

Can I use Crimson instead of Cardinal Purple?

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