Shades of white

White
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFFFFF
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 255, 255)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 0, 0, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(0°, 0%, 100%)
Source	By definition
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Shades of white are colors that differ only slightly from pure white. Variations of white include what are commonly termed off-white colors, which may be considered part of a neutral color scheme.

In color theory, a shade is a pure color mixed with black (or having a lower lightness). Strictly speaking, a “shade of white” would be a neutral gray. This article is also about off-white colors that vary from pure white in hue, and in chroma (also called saturation, or intensity).

Colors often considered "shades of white" include, cream, eggshell, ivory, Navajo white, and vanilla. Even the lighting of a room, however, can cause a pure white to be perceived as off-white.^[1]

Off-white colors were pervasively paired with beiges in the 1930s,^[2] and especially popular again from roughly 1955 to 1975.^[3]

Whiteness measures the degree to which a surface is white in colorimetry.

Web colors

Below is a chart showing the computer web color shades of white. An achromatic white is a white color in which the red, green, and blue codes are exactly equal. The web colors white and white smoke are achromatic colors. A chromatic shade of white is a white color in which the red, green, and blue codes are not exactly equal, but are close to each other, which is what makes it a shade of white.

HTML color name	Sample		Hex triplet
	(rendered by name)	(rendered by hex triplet)
White			#FFFFFF
Whitesmoke			#F5F5F5
Snow			#FFFAFA
Honeydew			#F0FFF0
Mintcream			#F5FFFA
Azure			#F0FFFF
Aliceblue			#F0F8FF
Ghostwhite			#F8F8FF
Seashell			#FFF5EE
Beige			#F5F5DC
Oldlace			#FDF5E6
Floralwhite			#FFFAF0
Ivory			#FFFFF0
Antiquewhite			#FAEBD7
Linen			#FAF0E6
Lavenderblush			#FFF0F5

White

White (#FFFFFF)

White
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFFFFF
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 255, 255)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 0, 0, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(0°, 0%, 100%)
Source	By definition
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness. White is the lightest possible color.

Variations of white (off-white colors)

Ghost white

Ghost white (#F8F8FF)

Ghost white
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#F8F8FF
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(248, 248, 255)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(3, 3, 0, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(240°, 3%, 100%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The web color ghost white is a tint of white associated with what it is imagined the color of a ghost might be.

There is no evidence that this color name was in use before the X11 color names were formulated in 1987.

White smoke

White smoke (#F5F5F5)

White smoke
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#F5F5F5
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(245, 245, 245)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 0, 0, 9.95)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(0°, 0%, 96.1%)
Source	X11
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The web color white smoke is displayed on the left.

There is no evidence that this color name was in use before the X11 color names were formulated in 1987.

Baby powder

Baby powder (#FEFEFA)

Baby powder
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FEFEFA
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(254, 254, 250)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 0, 2, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(60°, 2%, 100%)
Source	Crayola
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The Crayola crayon color baby powder was introduced in 1994 as part of its specialty Magic Scent crayon collection.

Snow

Snow (#FFFAFA)

Snow
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFFAFA
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 250, 250)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 2, 2, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(0°, 2%, 100%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The web color snow is displayed at left.

The first recorded use of snow as a color name in English was in 1000.^[5]

The color snow was included as one of the X11 colors when they were formulated in 1987.

Ivory

Ivory (#FFFFF0)

Ivory
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFFFF0
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 255, 240)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 0, 6, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(60°, 6%, 100%)
Source	X11
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Ivory is an off-white color that resembles ivory, the material out of which the teeth and tusks of animals (such as the elephant and the walrus) are made. It has a very slight tint of yellow.

The first recorded use of ivory as a color name in English was in 1385.^[6]

The color ivory was included as one of the X11 colors when they were formulated in 1987.

Floral white

Floral white (#FFFAF0)

Floral white
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFFAF0
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 250, 240)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 2, 2, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(40°, 6%, 100%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The web color floral white is displayed at left.

There is no evidence that this color name was in use before the X11 color names were formulated in 1987.

Seashell

Seashell (#FFF5EE)

Seashell
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFF5EE
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 245, 238)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 3, 4, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(25°, 7%, 100%)
Source	X11
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Seashell is an off-white color that resembles some of the very pale pinkish tones that are common in many seashells.

The first recorded use of seashell as a color name in English was in 1926.^[7]

In 1987, seashell was included as one of the X11 colors.

Cornsilk

Cornsilk (#FFF8DC)

Cornsilk
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFF8DC
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 248, 220)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 3, 14, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(48°, 14%, 100%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Cornsilk is a color that is a representation of the color of cornsilk.

The first recorded use of cornsilk as a color name in English was in 1927.^[8]

In 1987, cornsilk was included as one of the X11 colors.

Old lace

Old lace (#FDF5E6)

Old lace
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FDF5E6
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(253, 245, 230)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 3, 9, 1)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(39°, 9%, 99%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Old lace is a web color that is a very pale yellowish orange that resembles the color of an old lace tablecloth.

It is one of the original X11 colors.

Old lace is used as a color of a certain kind of Caucasian skin type in art.

Cream

Cream (#FFFDD0)

Cream
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFFDD0
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 253, 208)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 1, 18, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(57°, 18%, 100%)
Source	X11
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Cream is a color that is a representation of the color of the cream produced from the milk of cattle.

The first recorded use of cream as a color name in English was in 1590.^[9]

In 1987, cream was included as one of the X11 colors.

Beige

Beige (#F5F5DC)

Beige
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#F5F5DC
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(245, 245, 220)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 0, 10, 4)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(60°, 10%, 96%)
Source	X11
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The color beige is displayed at left.

The first recorded use of beige as a color name in English was in 1887.^[10]

The term originates from beige cloth, a cotton fabric left undyed in its natural color.

Items that are of beige color in real world applications are typically closer to yellow than they are to white.

Linen

Linen (#FAF0E6)

Linen
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FAF0E6
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(250, 240, 230)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 4, 8, 2)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(30°, 8%, 98%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Linen is a web color that is a very pale orange color that resembles the color of linen.

It is one of the original X11 colors.

Antique white

Antique white (#FAEBD7)

Antique white
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FAEBD7
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(250, 235, 215)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 6, 14, 2)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(34°, 14%, 98%)
Source	X11[4]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Antique white is a web color.

The color name antique white began to be used in 1987 when the X11 colors were first formulated.

Champagne

Champagne (#F7E7CE)

Champagne
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#F7E7CE
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(247, 231, 206)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 7, 17, 3)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(37°, 17%, 97%)
Source	Maerz and Paul
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The color champagne is displayed at right.

The color's name is derived from the typical color of the beverage champagne.

The first recorded use of champagne as a color name in English was in 1915.^[11]

Eggshell

Eggshell (#F0EAD6)

Eggshell
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#F0EAD6
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(240, 234, 214)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 2, 11, 6)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(46°, 11%, 94%)
Source	ISCC-NBS
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The color eggshell is displayed at left.

The color eggshell is a representation of the average color of chicken eggs.

Dutch white

Dutch white (#EDDFBB)

Dutch white
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#EFDFBB
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(239, 223, 187)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 7, 22, 6)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(42°, 22%, 94[12]%)
Source	Resene
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Displayed at right is the color Dutch white.

Dutch white is one of the colors on the Resene Color List, a color list popular in Australia and New Zealand. The color Dutch white was formulated in 2000.

Bone

Bone (#E3DAC9)

Bone
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#E3DAC9
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(227, 218, 201)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 4, 11, 11)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(39°, 11%, 89%)
Source	Kelly-Moore
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The color bone is displayed at left. This color is a representation of the color of bones.

The first recorded use of bone as a color name in English was in the first decade of the 19th century (exact year uncertain).^[13]

Bone colored paint is often used by landlords to paint vacant apartments that are for rent since it hides dirt and stains better than white.

Vanilla

Vanilla (#F3E5AB)

Vanilla
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#F3E5AB
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(243, 229, 171)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 6, 30, 5)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(48°, 30%, 95%)
Source	ISCC NBS
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The color vanilla is a rich tint of off-white as well as a medium pale tint of yellow.

The first recorded use of vanilla as a color name in English was in 1925.^[14]

Flax

Flax (#EEDC82)

Flax
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#EEDC82
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(238, 220, 130)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(7, 8, 60, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(50°, 45%, 93%)
Source	Maerz and Paul[15]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

The color flax is displayed at right.

The first recorded use of flax as a color name in English was in 1915.^[16]

Navajo white

Navajo white (#FFDEAD)

Navajo white
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#FFDEAD
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(255, 222, 173)
CMYK^H   (c, m, y, k)	(0, 13, 32, 0)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(36°, 32%, 100%)
Source	X11[17]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte) H: Normalized to [0–100] (hundred)

Navajo white is a whitish orange color, and derives its name from its similarity to the background color of the Navajo Nation ethnic flag.

In 1987, Navajo white was included as one of the X11 colors.

Ecru

Ecru (#C2B280)

Ecru
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#C2B280
sRGB^B  (r, g, b)	(194, 178, 128)
HSV       (h, s, v)	(45°, 34%, 76%)
Source	ISCC-NBS
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Ecru describes a shade of grayish-pale yellow or a light grayish-yellowish brown. It is often used to describe such fabrics as silk and linen in their unbleached state. Ecru comes from the French word écru, which means literally "raw" or "unbleached".

References

1. Sickler, Dean (2010). The Keys to Color: A Decorator's Handbook. p. 11. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
2. Ryan, Elaine (2007). Color Your Life: How to Design Your Home with Colors from Your Heart. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 12–15. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
3. Mahnke, Frank H. (1996). Color, Environment, and Human Response. New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 80. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
4. CSS Color Module Level 3 (W3C):
5. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 204
6. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 197; Color Sample of Ivory: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample B12
7. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 204; Color Sample of Seashell: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample A4
8. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 193; Color Sample of Cornsilk: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample G3
9. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 193; Color Sample of Cream: Page 41 Plate 9 Color Sample D4
10. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 190; Color Sample of Beige: Page 45 Plate 11 Color Sample C2
11. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 192; Color Sample of Champagne: Page 45 Plate 11 Color Sample B3 Note: The color called Champagne in the color box above (color #F7E7CE) matches the color shown as Champagne in Maerz and Paul.
12. web.Forret.com Color Conversion Tool set to color #EFDFBB (Dutch White):
13. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 190
14. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 206; Color Sample of Vanilla: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample C3
15. The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called flax in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill; the color flax is displayed on page 47, Plate 12, Color Sample B2.
16. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 195; Color Sample of Flax: Page 47 Plate 12 Color Sample B2
17. CSS Color Module Level 3:

See also

• Beige
• List of colors
• Shades of black
• Variations of gray