White Dove vs Alabaster
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) and Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008).
| Benjamin Moore White Dove | Sherwin Williams Alabaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | OC-17 | SW 7008 |
| Hex |
#F3EEE1
|
#EDEAE0
|
| RGB | 243, 238, 225 | 237, 234, 224 |
| LRV | 85.38 | 82 |
| Undertone | Warm Cream | Warm Cream |
| Family | White | White |
| Best Rooms | Kitchen, Living Room, Bedroom, Trim, Cabinets, Whole House | Whole House, Trim, Cabinets, Living Room, Bedroom |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. White Dove has an LRV of 85.38 (very light) and Alabaster has an LRV of 82 (very light). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
The classic warm white showdown. White Dove (BM) has a touch more gray. Alabaster (SW) is creamier. Both are among the most popular whole-house whites in America, and this is one of the most searched paint comparisons on the internet. In a north-facing room, White Dove reads slightly cooler and more neutral. In a south-facing room, both lean warm, but Alabaster will feel slightly creamier. For trim, either works beautifully. If your walls are already warm, White Dove's touch of gray helps the trim read as a clean white rather than blending in. If your walls are cool (grays, blues), Alabaster's warmth provides a nice contrast.
White Dove Undertones
Subtle yellow-beige warmth, balanced by a touch of gray. Reads as a soft, creamy white without looking yellow.
Alabaster Undertones
A warm, creamy white that's one of the most popular paint colors in America. Not stark, not yellow, just comfortably warm.
Lighting Behavior
White Dove: Looks warmest in south-facing rooms. Stays fairly neutral in north light. Can appear slightly creamy under warm incandescent bulbs.
Alabaster: Looks warm and inviting in nearly every lighting condition. In very bright south-facing light, the cream undertone becomes more apparent. Under cool light, it reads as a soft neutral.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, White Dove (Benjamin Moore) and Alabaster (Sherwin Williams) are not the same color. They're in the same family (white), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. White Dove has warm cream undertones, while Alabaster has warm cream undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
White Dove is lighter with an LRV of 85.38, compared to Alabaster's LRV of 82. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Alabaster (the darker shade, LRV 82) on walls and White Dove (the lighter shade, LRV 85.38) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.