Benjamin Moore Pure White Vs White Dove: What's the Difference?

With hundreds of gorgeous whites and off-whites to choose from, it can be difficult to select the perfect one for your home. Two of Benjamin Moore’s most popular are Pure White OC-64 and White Dove OC-17. But what sets these beautiful, neutral paint colors apart?

In this guide, we’ll analyze Pure White and White Dove in depth, comparing undertones, finishes, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room uses. Read on to determine if Pure White or White Dove is the best clean white for your interior design.

Key Differences Between Pure White and White Dove

Before diving into details, here is an overview of the main differences between Pure White and White Dove:

Undertones – Pure White has a hint of cool, White Dove has faint warm
Light Reflectance – Pure White has an LRV of 78.94, White Dove has an LRV of 83.16
Look – Pure White is crisper and brighter, White Dove is softer and warmer
Use – Pure White for a contemporary look, White Dove for traditional spaces
Rooms – Pure White recommended for kitchens, baths; White Dove ideal for bedrooms, living rooms

Now let’s explore Pure White and White Dove Benjamin Moore paint colors more closely.

Benjamin Moore Pure White OC-64

With its clean, bright white appearance, Pure White OC-64 immediately brightens up any space. This versatile neutral provides an airy backdrop.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Pure White paint color:

LRV: 78.94
Undertones: Subtle cool
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and bathrooms
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Pure White is a gorgeous crisp white with the faintest whisper of blue-green. In certain lighting, it can read as an extremely subtle cool tone. Overall it remains very close to a true white.

With a 78.94 light reflectance value, Pure White maximizes brightness. This makes it ideal for any space needing ample illumination. The barely perceptible coolness prevents it from feeling sterile.

Pure White’s clean, fresh color immediately awakens rooms with its renewed look. This versatile neutral coordinates beautifully with both cool and warm accents. Especially popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore October Mist
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Boston Brick

Use Pure White to create serene, airy spaces with an open, minimalist feel. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel uncluttered and tranquil. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Trim/moldings
Small spaces

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

A beloved classic, White Dove OC-17 is the epitome of the perfect warm white. This adaptable neutral provides a clean, welcoming backdrop.

Here are some key facts about White Dove:

LRV: 83.16
Undertones: Faint pink beige
Sheen: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home, especially living spaces
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, yellows

White Dove lives up to its name with a beautiful bright white appearance coupled with the subtlest warm beige-pink undertone. In certain lighting, faint pinkish tones emerge lending a gentle radiance.

With an 83.16 light reflectance value, White Dove supplies sufficient illumination for most spaces without feeling too stark. The barely perceptible warmth prevents a sterile feel.

This versatile favorite complements both cool and warm palettes equally. Especially popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Coastal Fog
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Chili Pepper Red

Use White Dove to infuse spaces with quiet warmth and refinement. This elegant neutral backdrop works across styles from modern to farmhouse. It’s recommended for:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Entryways

Comparing Pure White and White Dove

Now that we’ve looked at Pure White and White Dove individually, let’s directly compare the two Benjamin Moore paint colors:

Light Reflectance

With LRVs of 78.94 and 83.16 respectively, Pure White reflects noticeably more light than White Dove. However, both offer sufficient brightness for most rooms.

Undertones

Here is where the main difference lies. Pure White has the subtlest hint of cool blue-green. White Dove has the faintest warm beige-pink.

Pure White’s barely perceptible coolness gives it a crisper, brighter look. White Dove’s pink undertone lends gentle warmth.

Uses

Thanks to its higher light reflectance and cool crispness, Pure White works well throughout homes for a cohesive look.

White Dove’s subtle warmth makes it ideal for living areas where a welcoming vibe is desired. Its tone remains flexible for broad use too.

Aesthetic

Pure White’s near imperceptible cool undertone gives spaces an airy, contemporary vibe. This makes it well-suited to modern, minimalist décors.

White Dove’s faint beige-pink cast provides a softer, more flexible aesthetic. The barely-there warmth suits transitional spaces beautifully.

Pure White vs White Dove Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of some key differences between Pure White and White Dove:

Paint Color	Pure White OC-64	White Dove OC-17
LRV	78.94	83.16
Undertones	Hint of cool blue-green	Pink beige
Use	Kitchens, baths, trim	Bedrooms, living rooms
Aesthetic	Contemporary, modern	Traditional, transitional
Sheen	All sheens	All sheens

Real Room Photos – Pure White vs White Dove

To better visualize the variations between Pure White and White Dove, let’s look at real room photos showcasing the Benjamin Moore paint colors:

Pure White

With its clean, bright white appearance, Pure White OC-64 immediately brightens up any space. This versatile neutral provides an airy backdrop.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Pure White paint color:

LRV: 78.94
Undertones: Subtle cool
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and bathrooms
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Pure White is a gorgeous crisp white with the faintest whisper of blue-green. In certain lighting, it can read as an extremely subtle cool tone. Overall it remains very close to a true white.

With a 78.94 light reflectance value, Pure White maximizes brightness. This makes it ideal for any space needing ample illumination. The barely perceptible coolness prevents it from feeling sterile.

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore October Mist
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Benjamin Moore Boston Brick

Use Pure White to create serene, airy spaces with an open, minimalist feel. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel uncluttered and tranquil. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Trim/moldings
Small spaces

White Dove

A beloved classic, White Dove OC-17 is the epitome of the perfect warm white. This adaptable neutral provides a clean, welcoming backdrop.

Here are some key facts about White Dove:

LRV: 83.16
Undertones: Faint pink beige
Sheen: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home, especially living spaces
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, yellows

With an 83.16 light reflectance value, White Dove supplies sufficient illumination for most spaces without feeling too stark. The barely perceptible warmth prevents a sterile feel.

This versatile favorite complements both cool and warm palettes equally. Especially popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Coastal Fog
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Chili Pepper Red

Use White Dove to infuse spaces with quiet warmth and refinement. This elegant neutral backdrop works across styles from modern to farmhouse. It’s recommended for:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Entryways

In the photos, Pure White comes across as crisper and brighter, while White Dove has a subtly softer, warmer appearance. Lighting affects these paint colors though, so they can look similar in some conditions.

Should I Choose Pure White or White Dove?

So how do you decide between Pure White vs White Dove for your home? Here are a few tips:

Choose Pure White if you want:

A clean, crisp white with hardly any undertones
Maximum light reflection
A bright, contemporary look
An airy feel throughout the home

Choose White Dove if you want:

A white with subtle warm undertones
A soft, welcoming backdrop for living areas
Flexible coordination with any color scheme
A refined but not stark look

It’s best to get samples of both paint colors. Paint large sections on your walls and view at different times of day. This will give you the clearest idea of which shade you prefer in your unique lighting environment.

Both Pure White and White Dove are gorgeous options. Consider the style you want to guide your selection between the cool crispness of Pure White or welcoming warmth of White Dove.

Ideal Room Combinations

Here are some rooms that are particularly well-suited to Pure White and White Dove:

Pure White OC-64

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Hallways
Doors/trim
Small spaces

White Dove OC-17

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Entryways
Bathrooms

With their bright whites and high light reflectance, Pure White and White Dove work beautifully throughout homes. But the above applications tend to perfectly match each shade’s individual strengths.