The Best White Paint Colors: A Definitive Guide

White is the most popular paint color category by far — and the most difficult to get right. There are hundreds of “white” paints across major brands, and each one has different undertones that can make or break a room. This guide breaks down the best whites and helps you pick the right one.

The Three Categories of White

True whites have minimal undertones and read as clean, bright white in most lighting. Warm whites lean cream, yellow, or pink and feel cozy. Cool whites lean blue or gray and feel crisp and modern. Understanding which category you need is the first decision. Browse all options in our white color family.

Best True Whites

Chantilly Lace(Benjamin Moore) — BM's cleanest white. Virtually no undertone. The go-to for trim, ceilings, and modern all-white rooms.

High Reflective White(Sherwin-Williams) — SW's equivalent. The whitest white in their deck. Perfect for trim that won't compete with wall colors.

Ultra Pure White(Behr) — Behr's standard base white. Clean and affordable.

Best Warm Whites

White Dove(Benjamin Moore) — the most popular warm white in America. A soft, creamy white that never looks yellow. Designers use it for everything from cabinets to whole-house color.

Pure White(Sherwin-Williams) — despite the name, this is actually a warm white with a slight cream undertone. It's one of SW's all-time best sellers.

Simply White(Benjamin Moore) — sits between true white and warm white. A versatile choice when you want warmth without obvious cream tones.

Best Cool Whites

Decorator's White(Benjamin Moore) — a white with a faint blue-gray undertone that reads as fresh and modern. Popular in contemporary and Scandinavian-style spaces.

Snowbound(Sherwin-Williams) — a cool white with a barely-there gray cast. Excellent for trim in rooms with warm wall colors.

How to Choose

Match your fixed elements. If your countertops, tile, or flooring have warm tones (yellow, orange, brown), choose a warm white. If they have cool tones (gray, blue), choose a cool white. True whites work as a neutral bridge.

Consider your trim. Your wall white and trim white should come from the same temperature family. Warm wall + cool trim creates a jarring disconnect.

Test multiple samples. Buy at least three whites and paint large swatches. What looks identical in the can often looks wildly different on the wall. Read our undertones guide for the full explanation.