Looking for the perfect off white paint color? Let's compare Sherwin Williams Extra White vs Alabaster to see which might be perfect for your home!
White paint colors are a super popular choice for many homeowners.
And, it's a great choice. White walls are a fresh backdrop, neutral and appealing, and work with a ton of different color schemes and decor styles.
When it comes to white paint colors, off-white is usually a bit easy to decorate with compared with a stark white.
It's just softer, easier on the eyes, and feels more cozy and inviting.
Two of the most popular colors in this category are Sherwin Williams Extra White and Alabaster.
Read my full review of Extra White
Read my full review of Alabaster
Sherwin Williams Extra White vs Alabaster
Extra White and Alabaster are both super popular off white paint colors by Sherwin Williams. But, they have very different tones and looks to them.
Let's dive in to explore their similarities and differences!
What is similar about Extra White vs Alabaster?
Extra White and Alabaster are similar in that they are both off-white paint colors. Both are popular options that will help your room to feel light, bright, and inviting.
However, they have some pretty significant differences!
What is different about Extra White vs Alabaster?
These are both off-white paint colors, but they are very different both in brightness and tone.
| Extra White | Alabaster | |
| LRV | 86 | 82 |
| RBG | R:238 G:239 B:234 | R:237 G:234 B:224 |
| Undertones | slightly cool with light blue/gray undertones | warm, beige toned undertones |
Click here to get a peel & stick sample of Extra White!
Click here to get a peel & stick sample of Alabaster!
LRV
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.
Extra White has and LRV of 86, which is a decent amount lighter than Alabaster at 82.
Because of this, plus the undertone differences, Extra White feels a lot brighter and fresher compared to Alabaster.
Undertones
These two shades of off white have very different undertones. Extra White, while fairly neutral, definitely has cool, crisp undertones.
On the other hand, Alabaster is firmly warm in it's undertones. So, it will feel cozier and warmer than the crisp Extra White.
Remember to take into account the lighting in your space.
South facing windows let in warm toned light, which will make the wall color feel more yellow. So, in a south facing room, extra white will feel neutral and alabaster will feel very warm.
On the other hand, north facing windows let in cool blue light that will make colors feel cooler. So, Extra White could feel quite cool, maybe even a touch blue, while Alabaster will look more neutral.
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?
While these are both off white paint colors, they have totally different feels to them. You need to decide what feel you are going for!
If you want a crisp, clean white, Extra White is the perfect option.
If you want a soft white wall that will feel warm, cozy, and not too stark, then Alabaster is a better option.
Sherwin Williams Extra White 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!
Sherwin Williams Alabaster 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!
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!
Morgan is passionate about home decor and paint colors. She has been sharing DIY home decor tips since 2012 at CharlestonCrafted.com. From there, she learned to love paint colors, and the Paint Color Project was born in 2022!
