Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Alabaster Variant

If you love Sherwin Williams Alabaster Variant 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.

Alabaster Variant (SW 7009) is a very light white with warm pearl undertones. A warm pearl white. Slightly cooler than Alabaster. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 83) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Alabaster Variant 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 good news: there is a strong Benjamin Moore match for Alabaster Variant. White Dove (OC-17) comes in with a Delta E of 2.5, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. White Dove is very close.

Benjamin Moore Matches for Alabaster Variant

White Dove OC-17
Excellent match · ΔE 2.5

White Dove is very close.

Alabaster VariantWhite Dove
LRV8385.38
Hex#EDEAE2#F3EEE1
UndertoneWarm PearlWarm Cream
FamilyWhiteWhite

Undertone Comparison

Alabaster Variant has warm pearl undertones. A warm pearl white. Slightly cooler than Alabaster.

White Dove has warm cream undertones. Subtle yellow-beige warmth, balanced by a touch of gray. Reads as a soft, creamy white without looking yellow.

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

Alabaster Variant in Your Room

Clean and warm. Between Alabaster and Pure White.

White Dove in Your Room

Looks warmest in south-facing rooms. Stays fairly neutral in north light. Can appear slightly creamy under warm incandescent bulbs.

LRV and Brightness

Alabaster Variant has an LRV of 83, while White Dove has an LRV of 85.38. 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 Alabaster Variant

Sherwin Williams recommends Alabaster Variant for: trim, ceilings, cabinets, whole house. With an LRV of 83, 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.

White Dove is recommended for: kitchen, living room, bedroom, trim, cabinets, whole house. 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.

Alabaster Variant in Other Brands

Looking for Alabaster Variant equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Benjamin Moore match for Alabaster Variant (SW 7009) is White Dove (OC-17) with a Delta E of 2.5, which rates as a "excellent match" match. White Dove is very close. 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 Variant is a Sherwin Williams color with warm pearl undertones and an LRV of 83. White Dove is a Benjamin Moore color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 85.38. With a Delta E of 2.5, 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 2.5, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.

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.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.