Silver vs Aluminium (Metal.)

How close are they?

ΔE 16.7, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Aluminium (Metal.) is noticeably lighter than Silver.

Can I use Aluminium (Metal.) instead of Silver?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 17). Aluminium (Metal.) is noticeably lighter than Silver.

Can I use Silver instead of Aluminium (Metal.)?

The same difference applies the other way round: Silver is noticeably darker.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under 2 is a perfect match (you’d struggle to tell them apart), under 6 very close, under 10 close, under 15 fair, under 20 loose, under 30 very loose, and 30 or more a poor match. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.