Magenta vs Crimson

How close are they?

ΔE 14.1, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Crimson is a little darker, more saturated, warmer than Magenta.

Can I use Crimson instead of Magenta?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Crimson is a little darker, more saturated, warmer than Magenta.

Can I use Magenta instead of Crimson?

The same difference applies the other way round: Magenta is a little lighter, more muted, cooler.

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.