Alabaster Alt → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Sherwin Williams Alabaster Alt (SW 9109), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Alabaster Alt
If you love Sherwin Williams Alabaster Alt but need a PPG alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers PPG, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Alabaster Alt (SW 9109) is a light off-white with warm linen undertones. A warm, linen-toned off-white. More body than Alabaster, less depth than Agreeable Gray. The warm, natural tone of unbleached linen fabric. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 73) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Alabaster Alt and every PPG color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The good news: there is a strong PPG match for Alabaster Alt. Swirl (PPG1022-2) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Swirl is the closest PPG option at LRV 73. Very close match.
PPG Matches for Alabaster Alt
Swirl is the closest PPG option at LRV 73. Very close match.
| Alabaster Alt | Swirl | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 73 | 73 |
| Hex | #DED8CD | #E0DBD1 |
| Undertone | Warm Linen | Warm Swirl Cream |
| Family | Off-White | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Alabaster Alt has warm linen undertones. A warm, linen-toned off-white. More body than Alabaster, less depth than Agreeable Gray. The warm, natural tone of unbleached linen fabric.
Swirl has warm swirl cream undertones. A warm, swirling off-white with beige undertones. Named for the gentle motion of cream in coffee. Organic and inviting.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Alabaster Alt's warm linen quality may read differently than Swirl's warm swirl cream character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Alabaster Alt in Your Room
Warm and natural. Reads as a warm off-white with visible beige warmth. Cozy and organic.
Swirl in Your Room
Warm and gentle. In bright rooms, a warm off-white. In dim rooms, cozy warmth.
LRV and Brightness
Alabaster Alt has an LRV of 73, while Swirl has an LRV of 73. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Alabaster Alt
Sherwin Williams recommends Alabaster Alt for: whole house, bedroom, living room, hallway, bathroom. With an LRV of 73, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Swirl is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Swirl in the same rooms you planned for Alabaster Alt.
Alabaster Alt in Other Brands
Looking for Alabaster Alt equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Alabaster Alt (SW 9109) is Swirl (PPG1022-2) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Swirl is the closest PPG option at LRV 73. Very close match. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Alabaster Alt is a Sherwin Williams color with warm linen undertones and an LRV of 73. Swirl is a PPG color with warm swirl cream undertones and an LRV of 73. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 2, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.