Curious about the most universally loved white paints? We reviewed more than a dozen “best white” lists and compared over 100 white paint colors to find the consensus picks. After compiling data and comparing recommendations from interior designers, architects, builders, and top bloggers, a clear group of favorites emerged. Below are the 12 white paint colors that were recommended repeatedly, followed by guidance on how to choose the right white for your home.
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Why Designers Love White Paint
White is a classic choice for trim, ceilings, and cabinets, and many designers also choose white for walls. While some see white walls as plain, they can be a timeless and versatile backdrop. White creates a clean canvas that highlights other design elements and adapts to changing trends. Here are a few advantages:
- Supportive: White walls let artwork, furniture, and views stand out.
- Brightening: Light colors reflect more light, making rooms feel larger and airier.
- Versatile: White works with traditional, modern, farmhouse, and many other styles.
- Flexible: White makes it easy to update decor, fabrics, and accessories without repainting.
- Dynamic: White can shift in appearance as lighting changes, which makes selecting the right white important.
What Are The Best White Paint Colors?
Below are the 12 white paints that showed up most often in the lists we surveyed. These colors are widely recommended by professionals and influencers. While we’ll describe each in more detail later, here’s the consolidated list:
Note: Digital swatches vary by screen and manufacturer images. Always check physical swatches before painting.
These 12 whites are ordered by how often they appeared across sources. The first three were especially common.
- Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
- Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117)
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65)
- Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White (OC-149)
- Benjamin Moore Super White (OC-152)
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW 7005)
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45)
- Farrow & Ball All White (No. 2005)
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006)
- Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
- Farrow & Ball Pointing (No. 2003)
- Sherwin-Williams Snowbound (SW 7004)
Use this list as a starting point, then narrow your choice using brightness and undertones, explained below.
How To Choose The Right White Paint
Choosing the right white depends mostly on two subtle qualities: brightness and undertones. Those determine how a white will read in your space, so it helps to understand both before you commit.
What is LRV?
LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a paint reflects from 0 (black) to 100 (pure white). The higher the LRV, the brighter the paint. Most whites fall between 80 and 95 LRV; higher values can feel harsh, while lower values start to look gray or beige.
Key takeaway: Many popular “whites” are softer than their names suggest. Brighter isn’t always better—very bright whites can make soft furnishings look yellowish by comparison.
Using LRV to Pick a White Paint
Because white swatches can look similar on a fan deck, compare LRVs when you need more precision. If a white reads too dark in your room, pick one with a higher LRV. If it reads too bright, choose a lower LRV. LRV is also useful when pairing two whites—select values a few points apart for subtle contrast.
What Are Undertones?
Undertones are the subtle secondary hues—warm (yellow, red, tan) or cool (blue, gray, green)—that influence how a white looks in a room. Warm whites can read creamy or beige; cool whites may look crisp or slightly blue. Undertones often become obvious only when whites are compared side by side.
Key takeaway: Many experts favor slightly warm whites because cool whites can read stark or sterile in some spaces. Still, the right undertone depends on your lighting and surrounding colors.
Using Undertones to Pick a White Paint
Choose warm, cool, or neutral whites based on the mood you want and the room’s existing colors and lighting. Test samples at different times of day: a white that looks cool in one light may read warmer in another. Match or complement surrounding undertones to avoid clashes.
Tips for Testing White Paint Colors
Always test before committing. Lighting, furnishings, and room orientation all affect how white paints read. Here’s a practical testing approach:
Collect many swatches. Bring home more options than you think you need, including lighter, darker, warmer, and cooler whites.
Use large removable samples. Order pre-painted removable stickers or large peel-and-stick samples to evaluate colors without the mess of paint.
- Place samples on multiple walls and at different heights.
- View samples in morning, afternoon, evening, and under artificial light.
- If necessary, paint a large swatch on the wall to see the full effect before painting the entire room.
The 12 Best White Paint Colors
With testing advice in mind, here are short notes on each of the 12 most-recommended whites. They’re listed starting with the most-cited picks.
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
White Dove is a versatile, slightly warm white that performs well on walls, trim, ceilings, and cabinets. Its gentle warmth keeps it from appearing stark while still reading clean and fresh in many lighting conditions.
Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117)
Simply White is a bright, warm-leaning white often used for trim and walls. It adds warmth to dark rooms and has been a long-time favorite for many homeowners and designers.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65)
Chantilly Lace is one of Benjamin Moore’s cleanest whites with minimal visible undertones. It’s an excellent choice for trim, ceilings, and areas where a crisp, neutral white is desirable.
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White (OC-149)
Decorator’s White is a cooler white that sits in a bright but balanced LRV range. It works well in sunlit rooms or spaces with cool-toned decor.
Benjamin Moore Super White (OC-152)
Super White is among Benjamin Moore’s brightest whites with very subtle undertones, making it a popular trim choice and a good match for modern, clean palettes.
Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW 7005)
Pure White is a versatile Sherwin-Williams favorite. It reads clean without feeling harsh and performs well across a range of lighting conditions—often used as a whole-house white.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45)
Swiss Coffee is a warm, cozy off-white with noticeable creaminess. It’s a good option when you want white that leans warm and inviting rather than crisp and stark.
Farrow & Ball All White (No. 2005)
All White is one of the brightest options, designed with minimal added pigments so it reads very neutral. It works well for trim and ceilings but can feel intense on large wall surfaces in some rooms.
Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006)
Extra White skews slightly cool and is a flexible mid-brightness white that pairs well with many palettes. Its subtle undertones make it adaptable in different lighting.
Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
Alabaster is a warm, creamy white with a subtle red undertone. It reads cozy and sophisticated, making it a strong pick where warm complementing tones are present.
Farrow & Ball Pointing (No. 2003)
Pointing is a warm white with red undertones and a slightly brighter appearance than some other warm whites, making it a good warm trim or ceiling option.
Sherwin-Williams Snowbound (SW 7004)
Snowbound leans warm with red undertones, which helps it harmonize with warmer materials like brick. It reads bright outdoors and makes a clean yet complementary trim color for exterior use.
Other White Paint Considerations
Here are additional points to consider when choosing a white:
Don’t trust photos alone. Screens render color differently, so always verify with physical swatches in your space.
Whites reflect surrounding colors. High LRV whites reflect more of their environment, which can cause nearby hues to tint the wall. If that’s a concern, choose a lower LRV.
Consider window direction. North-facing rooms have cooler light; south-facing rooms receive warmer, direct sun. Choose undertones accordingly.
Check artificial lighting. Bulb temperature affects how paint reads at night. View swatches with your lights on before deciding.
For exteriors, beware of overly bright whites. Direct sun amplifies brightness; lower LRV whites are often a better exterior choice.
When pairing whites, test together. Contrasting undertones can clash, so view wall and trim samples side by side before committing.
Other White Paint FAQs
Final quick answers to common questions about white paint:
What is the most popular white paint color?
Benjamin Moore White Dove is the most frequently recommended overall, while Sherwin-Williams Pure White is Sherwin-Williams’ most-cited pick.
What white paint color is best for trim?
Extra White and Chantilly Lace are popular trim choices for their bright, neutral undertones, but many whites on this list can work on trim—especially if you keep the same color between walls and trim and vary finish for contrast.
What white paint color is best for ceilings?
Super White and Decorator’s White are commonly used on ceilings. If painting walls white, continuing the same color to the ceiling creates cohesion; use flat or matte finishes for ceilings.
Can I color match white paint across brands?
Cross-brand color matching is unreliable because manufacturers use different bases and pigments. Exact matches are unlikely, so proceed with caution if attempting to match a specific branded color at another store.
What are other popular white paint colors?
Other frequently mentioned whites include Benjamin Moore Oxford White, Paper White, Cloud White, and Farrow & Ball Wimborne White and Strong White. These are good alternatives if you want to explore beyond the top 12.
What is the brightest white paint?
Some of the brightest whites include Farrow & Ball All White, Behr Ultra Pure White, and Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White. These have very high LRVs and can feel intense on large walls.
What are the best cool white colors?
Top cool-leaning picks include Decorator’s White, Super White, and Extra White—good choices for crisp, modern looks or sunlit spaces with cool-toned decor.
What are the best warm white paint colors?
Warm favorites are Simply White, Swiss Coffee, Alabaster, and Pointing. Cloud White and Shoji White are also commonly recommended warm-leaning options.
More Paint Colors We Love
If you want to explore additional favorites, consider researching trusted sources and viewing in-home examples. Trying physical samples in your own lighting is the best way to find the white that will truly work in your space.
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
- The 12 Best “Haint Blue” Paint Colors
- The 9 Best Greige Paint Colors
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