Purple vs Violet Red

How close are they?

ΔE 14.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Violet Red is a little lighter, much more muted than Purple.

Can I use Violet Red instead of Purple?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Violet Red is a little lighter, much more muted than Purple.

Can I use Purple instead of Violet Red?

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