Scarlet Red vs Cardinal Purple

How close are they?

ΔE 11.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Cardinal Purple is more muted, cooler than Scarlet Red.

Can I use Cardinal Purple instead of Scarlet Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Cardinal Purple is more muted, cooler than Scarlet Red.

Can I use Scarlet Red instead of Cardinal Purple?

The same difference applies the other way round: Scarlet Red 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.