Today’s article presents everything you need to know about the off white color, from its meaning and history to different off white shades, including their Hex, RGB, and CMYK codes.
Is off white a colour? Off white is more than a color; it is a group of colors that slightly vary from pure white, tending towards neutrals such as ivory, cream, beige, greige, eggshell, or vanilla.
Thus, most off white colors carry subtle undertones of gray or yellow.
In addition, this timeless range of colors holds a unique place in our hearts. Whether it’s in fashion, design, art, or nature, off-whites have the power to captivate and evoke a sense of elegance.
What Color is Off White?
Off white is a group of colors that includes near-white shades of cream, eggshell, ivory, vanilla, and beige. So, this is an umbrella term used for shades that differ slightly from pure white.
Off white is more than a color and includes all shades of white with a slightly yellowish or gray tinge.
Off white with a gray tinge
Hex #F5F5F5
Off white with a yellow undertone
Hex #FAF9F6
Off White Color History
Pure or off-white, this is one of the earliest colors used in art, dating back to the Palaeolithic when artists used white chalk and calcite. Thus cave paintings date back to the Stone Age.
Throughout history, white has held a position, often linked to high status.
For example, in ancient Egypt, priests wore white as a symbol of purity. On the other hand, the Romans wore white togas, symbolizing their citizenship.
Even the major religions adopted this lovely color. Catholics have worn it since 1566. It is also the traditional color of wedding dresses, associated with purity and innocence.
When it comes to light shades of white, they also have a rich history. For example, the first use of the color ivory dates back to 1385. Vanilla is a slightly newer, first recorded as a color in 1925.
This color group is so popular that designer Virgil Abloh named his high-end fashion label Off-white.
Off White Color Meaning
White has been the color of purity since ancient times. Thus, light or dingy shades of white evoke similar associations.
Since it is very close to white, the off white color means simplicity, purity, and innocence. So it borrows from the white color meaning.
Off white is slightly warm, combining the simplicity and cleanliness of white with the comfort of beige, the calmness of cream, and the elegance of ivory.
Also, white and its shades are associated with new beginnings, serenity, elegance, and balance. Spiritually, white can be associated with sacredness, innocence, and goodness.
However, the color off white is not as cold, sterile, and bland as white.
Off White Color Codes
You may be wondering what the off white hex code is. Since it’s an umbrella term for various colors that differ slightly from pure white, choosing one is hard.
Off white is a shade of white, leaning towards a neutral color in both hue and saturation. The off white hex code is #FAF9F6. However, this term is generically attributed to shades that differ slightly from pure white.
The off-white RGB code is R: 250, G: 249, B: 246.
In the CMYK color space used in color printing, off white is made up of 0% cyan, 0% magenta, 2% yellow, and 2% black. This means that the printer only uses a little yellow and black to mix the off white color.
In the HSL system, off-white has a hue angle of 45 degrees, a saturation of 29%, and a brightness of 97%.
For more off-white color codes, we have prepared a visual list of shades along with their Hex, RGB, and CMYK codes.
What is the RAL code for Off White?
In the RAL color system, the color off-white has the code 070 90 05, which is in the 000-095 category.
Off White Shades
Looking for off white shades of paint? The most popular off white shades include silver satin (#E4E1D9), aesthetic white (#E5DED3), pure white (#EDECE6), snowbound (#EDEAE5), simply white (#F6F6ED), white dove (#EFEEE5) and cappuccino white (#E6DED0).
However, many cream, beige, gray, eggshell, greige, ivory, and vanilla shades fall into the category of off-white colors.
Here is a comprehensive list of off white colors, including their Hex, RGB, and CMYK codes.
Antique White
Antique white is a light grayish caramel-white color with bronze undertones. Antique white with the hex code #E1DACA is often perceived as a warm, rich greige – a combination of gray and beige.
Moreover, it resembles the color of aged or yellowed white paint, giving it a vintage or antique appearance.
Antique White
Hex #E1DACA
RGB 225, 218, 202
CMYK 0, 3, 10, 12
Silver Satin
Silver satin is a light, cool gray with a hint of silver undertones. This off white color is a sophisticated and elegant shade that resembles the sheen and luster of satin fabric.
Silver Satin
Hex #E4E1D9
RGB 228, 225, 217
CMYK 0, 0.4, 4, 11
Aesthetic White
Aesthetic white is a soft, warm off-white shade with subtle undertones of beige. However, this is often perceived as a light beige that leans slightly into gray.
Aesthetic White
Hex #E5DED3
RGB 229, 222, 211
CMYK 0, 3, 8, 1
Pure White
Pure white is a light, neutral shade of white with a slight yellow undertone. Moreover, pure white is commonly described as a very light gray or off-white.
It is a pale white color rather than a pure white, being neither too creamy nor too stark.
Its Sherwin-Williams code is 7005.
Pure White
Hex #EDECE6
RGB 237, 236, 230
CMYK 0, 4, 3, 7.1
Snowbound
Snowbound is a soft white with a subtle gray undertone. Moreover, snowbound is slightly cooler in tone compared to other off white colors.
However, you can call it a light-medium greige. In the SW catalog, it is the neighbor of pure white, with the code 7004. If you’re looking for other variations of this color, explore more shades of gray.
Snowbound
Hex #EDEAE5
RGB 237,234,229
CMYK 0, 1.3, 3.4, 7.1
Alabaster
Alabaster is a soft, warm off-white color with a subtle beige undertone. This delicate and slighly creamy shade exudes warmth and tranquility. It has more warmth than the white dove color by Benjamin Moore.
Alabaster
Hex #EDEAE0
RGB 237, 234, 224
CMYK 0, 1.3, 5.5, 7.1
Simply White
Simply White is a warm white color with a yellow undertone. Soft and clean, this crisp off-white has an LRV of 91.7. Its uniqueness comes from the yellow undertones. Moreover, it’s a popular paint color by Benjamin Moore, with the code OC-117.
Simply White
Hex #F6F6ED
RGB 246, 246, 237
CMYK 0, 0, 3.7, 3.5
Cappuccino White
Cappuccino white is a light, neutral off-white color with a subtle red undertone, making it look like a soft, fresh beige. It’s no wonder it was chosen as the color of the year 2016.
Moreover, its depth stands out when paired with pure white.
Capuccino White
Hex #E6DED0
RGB 230, 222, 208
CMYK 0, 3.5, 9.6, 9.8
White Dove
Benjamin Moore White Dove is a warm off-white color with a yellow undertone which is grayed out so you can hardly see it.
This smooth, creamy off-white color is well-grounded with more gray undertones than yellow, so it’s not too yellow.
White dove is so popular since it complements both modern and classic decor. However, some consider it a very pale gray with warm beige undertones.
White Dove
Hex #EFEEE5
RGB 239, 238, 229
CMYK 0, 0, 4, 6
White Heron
White heron is a soft and delicate shade of white with a slightly warm undertone. It falls within the off-white color umbrella, offering a subtle warmth with a touch of gray undertones.
The name of this color derives from the great egret, known as the great white heron.
White Heron
Hex #E7E1D7
RGB 231, 225, 215
CMYK 0, 2.6, 6.9, 9.4
Cloud White
Cloud white is a soft, warm off-white with creamy undertones, providing a clean and fresh look while maintaining warmth and depth.
Moreover, this is a popular off-white paint color by Benjamin Moore that looks great as a wall color due to its soft focus on yellow.
Cloud White
Hex #F2F1E6
RGB 242, 241, 230
CMYK 0, 0, 5, 5
Swiss Coffee
This is another lovely off-white by Benjamin Moore.
Swiss coffee is a warm, creamy off-white color with a subtle yellow undertone, which gives it a soft appearance. It’s a popular choice for those seeking an off-white color with a touch of warmth.
It looks similar to white dove. However, Swiss coffee is a warm and creamy off-white, while white dove is a brighter and whiter off-white with subtle gray undertones.
Swiss Coffee
Hex #EEECE1
RGB 238, 236, 225
CMYK 0, 0.8, 5.5, 6.7
Seashell
Seashell is a warm off-white color with a yellowish-pink tone. The seashell hex code is #FFF5EE.
However, seashell is an umbrella term that refers to a pale, delicate shade of off-white. It illustrates seashells’ soft and subtle pinkish tone, often perceived as a soft creamy beige or light ivory.
Seashell
Hex #FFF5EE
RGB 255, 245, 238
CMYK 0, 4, 7, 0
Eggshell
Eggshell is a creamy off-white color with a soft yellow tinge. In addition, this yellowish shade of white with the hex code #F0EAD6 looks like a pale, intermediate color between ivory and cream.
Eggshell
Hex #F0EAD6
RGB 240, 234, 214
CMYK 0, 3, 11, 6
Light Buff
Light buff is a very pale beige color with a yellow undertone. It can be described as a soft and muted off-white color, reminiscent of a light sandy beige tone. However, it’s a warm, neutral off-white.
Classic Light Buff
Hex: #F0EADC
RGB 240, 234, 220
CMYK 0, 3, 8, 6
Oatmeal
Oatmeal with the hex code #E0E2DC is a light grayish-beige with a subtle hint of green. Moreover, this pale, neutral is often associated with the natural color of oats or oatmeal, hence its name. Furthermore, oatmeal pairs amazingly with greige-toned colors.
Oatmeal
Hex #E0E2DC
RGB 224, 226, 220
CMYK 0.9, 0, 2.7, 11.4
Other Off White Colors
Off-white colors can be considered shades of white that lean slightly towards neutrals — a kind of pure white and neutral mixture.
Here are some off-white shades different from the ones presented so far.
Timberwolf
Hex #D9D6CF
RGB 217, 214, 207
CMYK 0, 1.4, 4.6, 14.9
Navajo White
Hex #EEE7D5
RGB 238, 231, 213
CMYK 0, 2.9, 10.5, 6.7
Bone
Hex #E3DAC9
RGB 227, 218, 201
CMYK 0, 4, 11.5, 11
Ghost White
Hex #F8F8FF
RGB 248, 248, 255
CMYK 2.7, 2.7, 0, 0
Paper White
Hex #E0E2DC
RGB 224, 226, 220
CMYK 0.9, 0, 2.77, 11.4
Floral White
Hex #FFFAF0
RGB 255, 250, 240
CMYK 0, 2, 6, 0
Milk
Hex #FDFFF5
RGB 253, 255, 245
CMYK 1, 0, 4, 0
Wan White
Hex #E4E2DC
RGB 228, 226, 220
CMYK 0, 1, 3, 11
Ivory
Hex #FFFFF0
RGB 255, 255, 240
CMYK 0, 0, 6, 0
White Lilac
Hex #F8F7FC
RGB 248, 247, 252
CMYK 2, 2, 0, 1
Whitewater
Hex #E1E1DC
RGB 225, 225, 220
CMYK 0, 0, 2, 12
Zinc White
Hex #FDF8FF
RGB 253, 248, 255
CMYK 1, 3, 0, 0
Quarter Milk White
Hex #EDE9E3
RGB 237, 233, 227
CMYK 0, 2, 4, 7
Orchid White
Hex #FFFDF3
RGB 255, 253, 243
CMYK 0, 1, 5, 0
Milk White
Hex #F6F0E6
RGB 246, 240, 230
CMYK 0, 2, 6, 4
House White
Hex #DFDDD9
RGB 223, 221, 217
CMYK 0, 1, 2, 13
Half Wan White
Hex #E9E8E2
RGB 233, 232, 226
CMYK 0, 0, 3, 9
Half Orchid White
Hex #F7F4EA
RGB 247, 244, 234
CMYK 0, 1, 5, 3
Filmpro White
Hex #F9F6ED
RGB 249, 246, 237
CMYK 0, 1, 5, 2
Ecru White
Hex #F5F3E5
RGB 245, 243, 229
CMYK 0, 1, 6, 4
Bubble White
Hex #DCD7C6
RGB 220, 215, 198
CMYK 0, 2, 9, 14
Buttery White
Hex #F1EBDA
RGB 241, 235, 218
CMYK 0, 2, 9, 5
Anti Flash White
Hex #F2F3F4
RGB 242, 243, 244
CMYK 1, 0, 0, 4
Albescent White
Hex #E1DACB
RGB 225, 218, 203
CMYK 0, 3, 9, 12
Errigal White
Hex #F2F2F4
RGB 242, 242, 244
CMYK 1, 1, 0, 4
Ghost White
Hex #F8F8FF
RGB 248, 248, 255
CMYK 3, 3, 0, 0
Marble White
Hex #F2F0E6
RGB 242, 240, 230
CMYK 0, 1, 5, 5
Mystic White
Hex #EBEBE9
RGB 235, 235, 233
CMYK 0, 0, 1, 8
Pearl White
Hex #F3F2ED
RGB 243, 242, 237
CMYK 0, 0, 2, 5
White Beach
Hex #F5EFE5
RGB 245, 239, 229
CMYK 0, 2, 7, 4
White Chalk
Hex #F6F4F1
RGB 246, 244, 241
CMYK 0, 1, 2, 4
White Glove
Hex #F0EFED
RGB 240, 239, 237
CMYK 0, 0, 1, 6
Final Thoughts on Off White Color
Off white colors include pale shades of cream, ivory, beige, greige, smoke, and eggshell.
They are slightly different from pure white and evoke feelings of warmth, elegance, comfort, and sophistication.
This is our collection of off white colors, which we hope will assist you with your project. Don’t forget to share this post to help spread the word.