Alabaster Alt → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Alabaster Alt (SW 9109), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Alabaster Alt
If you love Sherwin Williams Alabaster Alt but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Alabaster Alt (SW 9109) is a light off-white with warm linen undertones. A warm, linen-toned off-white. More body than Alabaster, less depth than Agreeable Gray. The warm, natural tone of unbleached linen fabric. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 73) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Alabaster Alt and every Behr 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 Behr option is Soothing White (PPU7-16) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. Soothing White is a good match. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Alabaster Alt
Soothing White is a good match.
| Alabaster Alt | Soothing White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 73 | 82 |
| Hex | #DED8CD | #ECE7DC |
| Undertone | Warm Linen | Warm Soothing Cream |
| Family | Off-White | Off-White |
Undertone Comparison
Alabaster Alt has warm linen undertones. A warm, linen-toned off-white. More body than Alabaster, less depth than Agreeable Gray. The warm, natural tone of unbleached linen fabric.
Soothing White has warm soothing cream undertones. A warm, soothing off-white with cream undertones. Softer than Swiss Coffee, gentler than Cameo White. As its name promises, it creates a calm, enveloping warmth.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Alabaster Alt's warm linen quality may read differently than Soothing White's warm soothing cream character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Alabaster Alt in Your Room
Warm and natural. Reads as a warm off-white with visible beige warmth. Cozy and organic.
Soothing White in Your Room
Warm and comforting in all rooms. The cream is gentle and never heavy. Reads as a warm white in bright rooms, a cozy cream in dim rooms.
LRV and Brightness
Alabaster Alt has an LRV of 73, while Soothing White has an LRV of 82. That means Soothing White reflects more light. If you switch from Alabaster Alt to Soothing White, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Alabaster Alt
Sherwin Williams recommends Alabaster Alt for: whole house, bedroom, living room, hallway, bathroom. With an LRV of 73, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Soothing White is recommended for: whole house, bedroom, living room, hallway, nursery. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Soothing White in the same rooms you planned for Alabaster Alt.
Alabaster Alt in Other Brands
Looking for Alabaster Alt equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Alabaster Alt (SW 9109) is Soothing White (PPU7-16) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Soothing White is a good match. 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. Alabaster Alt is a Sherwin Williams color with warm linen undertones and an LRV of 73. Soothing White is a Behr color with warm soothing cream undertones and an LRV of 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.