Alabaster vs Pure White
A side-by-side comparison of Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) and Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005).
| Sherwin Williams Alabaster | Sherwin Williams Pure White | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | SW 7008 | SW 7005 |
| Hex |
#EDEAE0
|
#EDECE6
|
| RGB | 237, 234, 224 | 237, 236, 230 |
| LRV | 82 | 84 |
| Undertone | Warm Cream | Warm Cream |
| Family | White | White |
| Best Rooms | Whole House, Trim, Cabinets, Living Room, Bedroom | Trim, Ceilings, Cabinets, Whole House, Bathroom |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Alabaster has an LRV of 82 (very light) and Pure White has an LRV of 84 (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
Two of Sherwin Williams' most popular whites, but with clearly different personalities. Alabaster is warm and creamy, visibly off-white. Pure White is clean and nearly neutral, reading as a true white. For walls where you want a warm, enveloping feel, Alabaster is the clear choice. For trim, cabinets, and ceilings where you want a clean, bright white, Pure White delivers. Many designers use this exact pairing together: Pure White trim with Alabaster walls. The contrast is gentle but creates a polished, intentional look.
Alabaster Undertones
A warm, creamy white that's one of the most popular paint colors in America. Not stark, not yellow, just comfortably warm.
Pure White Undertones
A warm white that's slightly creamier than Extra White but not as warm as Alabaster. The Goldilocks of SW whites.
Lighting Behavior
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.
Pure White: Reads as a clean, slightly warm white in most conditions. Less creamy than Alabaster, more warm than Extra White. Very versatile.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Alabaster (Sherwin Williams) and Pure White (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. Alabaster has warm cream undertones, while Pure White has warm cream undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Pure White is lighter with an LRV of 84, 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).
That's a popular combination. Using the darker Alabaster (LRV 82) on walls and the lighter Pure White (LRV 84) on trim creates a classic contrast that makes the trim pop.