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Whites and off-whites

Dr. White

Dr. White is a very light, true neutral color with almost no undertone. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 95.6, so it reflects roughly 96% of the light that hits it.

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Color facts

Hex#FAFAFA
RGB250, 250, 250
HSL0°, 0%, 98%
Estimated LRV95.6
Temperaturetrue neutral
Text on itBlack text, contrast 20.1:1

LRV here is estimated from the screen color (relative luminance). Paint brands publish measured LRVs on their own chips, which can differ.

How it reads on a wall

Reflects most of the light that hits it. Good for ceilings, small or dark rooms and whole-house walls. In north light very light colors can look flat or slightly gray, so test a large sample.

North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that can push this color cooler and grayer. Test it there before committing, or pick a slightly warmer cousin.

South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light that will make this color look warmer and more saturated in the afternoon.

Rooms it suits

  • Small rooms and hallways
  • Ceilings
  • Rooms with little daylight
  • Open-plan main walls

A 60-30-10 palette built on Dr. White

60% walls
Dr. White
30% trim and textiles
White Beach
10%
White

The 60-30-10 rule splits a room into a main color, a secondary color and an accent. Swap in real paint and fabric samples before you buy.

Harmonies

Complementary

White#FFFFFF

Analogous

White#FFFFFF

Analogous

White#FFFFFF

Triadic

White#FFFFFF

Triadic

White#FFFFFF

Split complementary

White#FFFFFF

Tints and shades

Lighter tints work as a ceiling or adjoining-room color; deeper shades suit trim, doors or cabinets.

Similar named colors

Closest Colors of the Year

Getting Dr. White in real paint

Dr. White is a name from the open color-names list (MIT license), not a specific paint product. Most paint counters can mix a close match: bring a printed or physical sample, or use a brand color-match tool, then buy a sample pot and paint a 2 by 2 foot swatch on two walls. Screens and printers shift color.

On-screen colors are approximations. Pantone, Color of the Year and brand color names are trademarks of their owners.

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