China White adds visible warmth and energy — works well in north-facing rooms that need a lift and in spaces where cheerful is the goal. At LRV 78 it reflects plenty of light, which makes it well-suited for north-facing rooms and smaller spaces that benefit from extra brightness. Skip it in north-facing rooms with cool light, where yellows can read acidic or greenish rather than cheerful.
Ref. #E7E4D9 · PM-20
China White
78%LRV Value
China White Technical Profile
What color is Benjamin Moore China White (PM-20)? It's a light warm yellow — hex #E7E4D9, LRV 78. The closest cross-brand equivalent to China White is Dunn-Edwards Watermist — a near-identical match on the wall, with Vista Paint Cherish is the Word and PPG Oyster White also close. With a Light Reflectance Value of 78, China White reflects a generous amount of light, making it well-suited for north-facing rooms or smaller spaces that benefit from extra brightness. Pair it with crisp whites like Pure White for trim, oak or maple woods, and brass hardware. Navy or deep teal accents balance the brightness without competing for attention. At mid saturation, this color sits at a flexible mid-point — bold enough to anchor a room without dominating, and pairs cleanly with both crisp and creamy whites. Under 2700K warm bulbs China White reads more golden or buttery. Under 4000K daylight bulbs it stays truer to the chip, though saturated yellows can edge toward green in mixed light. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Colors Similar to China White
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With China White
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
China White
#E7E4D9
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A2AD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for China White
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
China White Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
Other Benjamin Moore colors close to China White.
More yellow colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the yellow family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
China White — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match China White from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to China White are Watermist by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match), Cherish is the Word by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Oyster White by PPG (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting China White's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of China White?
China White has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 77.5, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a light, reflective color that bounces plenty of light back into a room — well-suited to north-facing spaces, hallways, and smaller rooms that need to feel brighter. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with China White
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for China White depends on the room. Here's how to choose.