Creamy → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Creamy (SW 7012), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Creamy
If you love Sherwin Williams Creamy but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Creamy (SW 7012) is a very light cream with warm cream undertones. A warm cream off-white. More yellow than Alabaster, more white than Dover White. A classic warm cream. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 81) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Creamy and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Linen White (OC-146) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Linen White is very close. Both are warm cream off-whites. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Creamy
Linen White is very close. Both are warm cream off-whites.
| Creamy | Linen White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 81 | 82.82 |
| Hex | #EBE5D6 | #EDE8DC |
| Undertone | Warm Cream | Warm Yellow-Cream |
| Family | Cream | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Creamy has warm cream undertones. A warm cream off-white. More yellow than Alabaster, more white than Dover White. A classic warm cream.
Linen White has warm yellow-cream undertones. A rich, warm off-white with noticeable yellow-cream undertones. Warmer than White Dove, reading as distinctly creamy rather than white.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Creamy in Your Room
The cream warmth is gentle and consistent. Reads as a warm off-white in all conditions.
Linen White in Your Room
The yellow warmth is always present. South-facing rooms amplify it. A cozy, enveloping off-white that never feels cold.
LRV and Brightness
Creamy has an LRV of 81, while Linen White has an LRV of 82.82. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Creamy
Sherwin Williams recommends Creamy for: whole house, trim, living room, bedroom, hallway. With an LRV of 81, this is a very light color that reflects a lot of light and works well in any room, including smaller spaces where you want to maintain a bright, open feel. It is light enough for whole-house use without making rooms feel washed out or sterile.
Linen White is recommended for: living room, bedroom, whole house, dining room, hallway. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Creamy in Other Brands
Looking for Creamy equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Creamy (SW 7012) is Linen White (OC-146) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Linen White is very close. Both are warm cream off-whites. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Creamy is a Sherwin Williams color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 81. Linen White is a Benjamin Moore color with warm yellow-cream undertones and an LRV of 82.82. With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.