Benjamin Moore Ballet White: Complete Color Review

If you're hunting for that just-right off-white, Benjamin Moore Ballet White might be one to swatch. I’ve used it in a few spaces, and it’s definitely not your basic white paint.

Creamy off-whites are a great option when you want something light but not cold. They create a soft, airy feel while still bringing warmth into the room. You get a look that’s calm, welcoming, and easy to decorate around.

But here’s the catch. Off-whites can be surprisingly tricky. The undertones shift a lot. Some lean beige or gray. Others pick up yellow, green, or even pink depending on the light. That’s why it’s so helpful to get familiar with the details before making a final choice.

So let’s take a closer look at a popular shade of off-white: Ballet White. If you’re craving warmth without going too beige, this might be the one.

Ballet White, Benjamin Moore, OC-9

Ballet White is a delicate and calming off-white. Its mixture of yellow and gray undertones help keep it balanced.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Ballet White

Color Family

Ballet White is in the white family.

Light Reflectance Value

72

LRV is just a scale from 0 to 100 that shows how much light a color bounces back. Zero is pure black. One hundred is stark white.

With a number like 72, Ballet White lands right at the edge of the off-white range.

It’s not a crisp white, but it’s definitely lighter than most beiges. Because of this, some people think of it as a greige paint color.

RGB Colors

R: 229 G: 224 B: 208

This is the technical makeup of Ballet White. RGB just breaks down how much red, green, and blue is in the color—on a scale of 0 to 255.

Ballet White has more red and green than blue, which explains why it feels warm and soft, not cool or gray.

Hex Code

#E5E0D0

Undertones

Ballet White has a soft blend of undertones. You’ll notice a mix of yellow, cream, and gray, with just a hint of green hiding underneath.

In south-facing rooms that get lots of sunshine, Ballet White will show off its warmer side. The yellow and cream come forward, but the gray keeps it from feeling too buttery or overly yellow.

In north-facing rooms, where the light is cooler and more muted, Ballet White tends to feel more neutral. It can even lean slightly greige, but it still holds onto that creamy softness.

Lighting changes everything, which is why I always recommend swatching first. Try it on a few walls, and check how it looks morning, afternoon, and evening. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you commit.

Want an easy way to test it out? You can get peel-and-stick paint samples so you don’t even have to break out a brush.

Best Uses

Ballet White is light, bright and neutral enough to work as a whole house paint color.

Note that it's darker than many whole house paint colors, so you may only want to use it in a few rooms. Pair it with some lighter neutrals in other rooms.

Ballet White works well for the following:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Benjamin Moore Feather Down
• Behr Off White
• Sherwin Williams Natural Choice
• Benjamin Moore Hushed Hue
• Behr Confident White
• Sherwin Williams White Duck
• Benjamin Moore Gray Mist

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Ballet White

Coordinating Colors

As a warm off-white, Ballet White pairs well with most other colors. I especially love it with blues, grays, greens, soft whites, and neutrals.

Mid-toned blue-grays:

• Puritan Gray
• Gibraltar Cliffs
• Cloudy Sky
• Brewster Gray
• Stonybrook

Balanced neutrals:

• Pashmina
• Plymouth Rock
• Baja Dunes
• Northern Cliffs
• Thunder

Dark neutrals:

• Kendall Charcoal
• Deep Creek
• Kitty Gray
• Bear Creek
• Woodcliff Lake

Trim Colors

You have two choices here: use Ballet White again for trim or use a soft white.

If you use Ballet White for both walls and trim, just use a glossier finish. Paint your walls Ballet White in an eggshell finish and your trim Ballet White in a semi-gloss finish!

This gives a soft, tone on tone look, but still provides contrast via the different sheens.

If you want to go the soft white trim option, these are my favorites:

Soft white trim colors:

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Cameo White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Ballet White

FAQs

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Ballet White.

Is Ballet White warm or cool?

Benjamin Moore Ballet White is a warm off-white paint color. It mixes yellow, cream, and gray undertones. That combo makes it feel warm, but never too golden or stuffy. It still feels light and soft on the walls.

Are Ballet White and Muskoka Trail the same paint color?

Yes, Benjamin Moore Ballet White (OC-9) and Muskoka Trail (974) are the same off-white paint color. Just two different names!

What are the undertones of BM Ballet White?

Ballet White has soft yellow and cream undertones with a bit of gray in the background. There’s also a subtle green that sometimes peeks through.

It’s definitely a warm off-white, but the gray tones stop it from leaning too yellow. It feels calm and balanced.

What is the hex code for BM Ballet White?

Benjamin Moore Ballet White's hex code is #E5E0D0. If you're working on digital mockups or trying to match decor online, this is a handy number to have.

What's the difference: BM White Sand vs Ballet White?

Benjamin Moore White Sand is a bit darker, with an LRV of 67. Ballet White is lighter, sitting at 72.

Both fall under Benjamin Moore’s white and beige families, but White Sand leans more beige with a stronger orange tone. Ballet White has more yellow and feels a bit creamier.

If you’re unsure, try both in the same room and see which one you like more. That’s what I always do when I’m stuck between two.

What's the difference: SW Greek Villa vs BM Ballet White?

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa is lighter and brighter than Ballet White, which is creamier and darker.

With an LRV of 84, Greek Villa is considered a true white. With an LRV of 72, Ballet White is considered an off-white.

Greek Villa has yellow and beige undertones, whereas Ballet White balances yellow, cream, gray, and subtle green.

Between the two, Greek Villa has more orange in it and Ballet White has more yellow.

Is Ballet White darker than Swiss Coffee?

Yes, Ballet White is darker than Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. Ballet White has an LRV of 72, and Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 82.

Ballet White falls is a creamy off-white and Swiss Coffee is a soft yet true white.

Is Ballet White too dark?

That depends on what you’re after.

If you want a clean, bright white, then yes, Ballet White might feel a little too shaded. But if you're looking for something warmer and softer, it’s a great option. It has just enough depth to give a room character without feeling heavy.

Try a swatch to see how it looks during the day and at night.

Is Ballet White too yellow?

Not at all. That’s one thing I like about it.

Some creamy off-whites can go too yellow and start to feel dingy, but Ballet White stays balanced. The gray undertones really help soften the yellow and keep everything in check.

Even then, every home is different. Swatching is the only way to know how it will actually look on your walls.

Thanks for reading!