Looking for the perfect warm white paint color for your home? Let's compare Swiss Coffee vs White Dove to see if one might be perfect for your space!
Warm whites are popular! They're cozy, neutral, and sophisticated all in one.
Warm whites are a good choice because they provide that neutral backdrop without being too crisp or stark.
Whites in general go well with virtually any decor style and finish, and they pair well with many other colors.
Today, I want to compare two super popular shades of warm white paint – Swiss Coffee and White Dove.
Let's talk about the difference between these two popular shades.
Read my full review of Swiss Coffee
Read my full review of White Dove
Swiss Coffee vs White Dove
Swiss Coffee and White Dove are two popular warm white paint colors by Benjamin Moore.
They're similar in color depth and undertones, but they have enough differences that they appear differently on the wall.
What is similar about Swiss Coffee vs White Dove?
Swiss Coffee and White Dove are both popular shades of white paint. Both are soft whites, right on the border of white and off-white.
Both have warm yellow undertones.
They have similar LRVs, which means they reflect about the same amount of light back into a room.
Swiss Coffee and White Dove both work great as whole-house paint colors. They can be used for both walls and trim.
What is different about Swiss Coffee vs White Dove?
White Dove is a bit brighter and lighter than Swiss Coffee, with an LRV of 83 versus 82.
While Swiss Coffee and White Dove have similar warm undertones, Swiss Coffee is a bit more likely to show those slight green undertones.
Swiss Coffee often looks a bit warmer and more beige than White Dove, although both are warm whites. White Dove appears as more of a true white.
| Swiss Coffee | White Dove | |
| LRV | 82 | 83 |
| RBG | R:237 G:234 B:224 | R:239 G:238 B:229 |
| Undertones | warm yellow/beige, slightly green | warm yellow, very slightly green |
Light Reflectance Value
Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around.
This is on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.
Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 82, making it slightly darker than White Dove, which has an LRV of 83.
This distinction technically means Swiss Coffee is an off-white and White Dove is a white, but because the two are so close to the dividing line, the two are similar colors.
Undertones
Both of these colors have warm yellow undertones.
Swiss Coffee also has beige undertones. While both have slight green undertones, Swiss Coffee is stronger.
White Dove will appear a bit cooler and more white. Swiss Coffee will appear a bit more beige. Both will look warmer in south-facing rooms with lots of natural light.
Swiss Coffee can sometimes read as slightly green, especially in cool-toned lighting, such as in north-facing rooms or in homes with LED lighting, which is bluish.
It's very important to swatch colors on your wall to make sure they look good – day and night – in your actual space before committing.
Click here to get removable peel & stick paint samples to easily swatch with!
How do I decide between these two colors?
If you’re looking for more of a true white, go with White Dove. And in case you want your space to feel a bit warmer and cozier, go with Swiss Coffee, as it’s a bit warmer.
If your space is at all dark or gets north-facing lighting, I suggest staying away from Swiss Coffee. It could read as slightly green in these circumstances.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee color palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home's aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Benjamin Moore White Dove paint color palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home's aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Before you go...
Once you pick your paint color, you want to get the best possible price on it! Check out our guide on when house paint goes on sale!
Still unsure which paint color is right for your space?
Choosing paint doesn’t have to be stressful! My free Paint Color Planning Quick Start Guide walks you through the exact steps to confidently choose the perfect color — without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless swatch testing.
👉 Click here to download the free guide!
My Paint Color Formula course walks you through the painless process of expertly testing paint swatches to ensure you have the perfect color for your home.
The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
Get peel-and-stick removable and reusable paint samples here!
Thanks for reading!
Meg Hemmelgarn is a freelance writer and home decor + DIY blogger who loves to talk about paint colors. She and her husband are currently renovating their third fixer upper. You can see their projects on her blog, Green With Decor.
