Looking for the perfect off-white paint color for your home? Let's compare Oyster White vs Alabaster to see if one might be perfect for your space!
Warm off-whites are a popular choice for walls. They are neutral and cozy without the stark crispness of a cool white.
Warm off-whites pair well with virtually any decor style and finish. They can also be used for both walls and trim.
Today I want to compare two super popular shades of off-white paint – Oyster White and Alabaster.
Let's talk about the difference between these two popular shades.
Read my full review of Oyster White
Read my full review of Alabaster
Oyster White vs Alabaster
Oyster White and Alabaster are popular Sherwin Williams off-white paint colors. However, they vary in darkness and undertone.
What is similar about Oyster White vs Alabaster?
Both Oyster White and Alabaster are off-white paint colors. They both have warm, beige undertones.
Both colors are neutral enough to work as a whole house paint color. Both also make good trim colors.
As neutrals, both Oyster White and Alabaster coordinate well with many other paint colors.
What is different about Oyster White vs Alabaster?
Overall, Oyster White is darker and warmer than Alabaster.
Alabaster is lighter and cooler than Oyster White.
Alabaster is right on the line of off-white and white, which means it can appear as a true white depending on the lighting.
While both have warm beige undertones, Oyster White has some warm green undertones as well, making it an overall warmer color.
| Oyster White | Alabaster | |
| LRV | 72 | 82 |
| RBG | R: 226 G: 221 B: 208 | R: 237 G: 234 B: 224 |
| Undertones | warm green-beige undertones | warm, beige undertones |
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.
Alabaster is much brighter than Oyster White, with an LRV of 82 versus 72.
Both are considered off-whites based on their LRV number, but Alabaster is the lightest an off-white can be, and Oyster White is the darkest an off-white can be.
This means Alabaster can sometimes appear as a true white, depending on the lighting.
Undertones
Both Oyster White and Alabaster feature warm beige undertones.
Oyster White also has some warm green undertones, which makes it a warmer color than Alabaster.
While still a warm off-white, Alabaster is cooler than Oyster White.
Both colors will look whiter and lighter in south-facing rooms with lots of natural light.
In north-facing rooms without much light, both colors will look darker, and Oyster White's green undertones may be more apparent.
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?
Oyster White and Alabaster are both great colors. Alabaster is lighter, so if your room is darker or with less natural light, it might look better.
If you want a warmer color, Oyster White is a better choice.
If you're looking for more of a white neutral, Alabaster is the best choice.
Oyster White 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!
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!
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.
