White Dove OC-17 is the slightly lighter, softer warm white, with an LRV of about 85 and a gray base that keeps it from yellowing.
Swiss Coffee OC-45 is the slightly deeper, creamier warm white, with an LRV of about 82 and a touch more yellow warmth.
They are both Benjamin Moore warm whites, so the tiebreaker is a small depth gap and the softer-versus-creamier lean, not a big undertone split. Test both on a photo of your space before you commit.
White Dove and Swiss Coffee are two Benjamin Moore warm whites that get cross-shopped constantly because they look almost identical on a chip. They are very close, but the lean differs: White Dove runs softer and cleaner thanks to a gray base, while Swiss Coffee runs a touch creamier and more yellow. Both are best-sellers, and the depth gap is small, White Dove at LRV about 85 and Swiss Coffee at about 82. This is our side-by-side method for comparing paint colors applied to the two Benjamin Moore warm whites shoppers pair most often.
The numbers side by side
| Attribute | White Dove OC-17 | Swiss Coffee OC-45 |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Warm soft white, gray in base | Warm white, creamy, best-seller |
| LRV | About 85 | About 82 |
| Approximate hex | #EFEEE5 | #EEECE1 |
| Undertone | Warm, soft, gray keeps it from yellowing | Warm, creamy, slightly more yellow than White Dove |
| Loves | Trim, cabinets, timeless soft warm white | Warm, best-selling, inviting, warm wood |
| Watch out for | Clashing next to stark cool whites | Reading more yellow next to cool whites |
| Overall vibe | Soft, warm, timeless | Warm, creamy, inviting |
Try it on your house
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LRV figures are the published values from Benjamin Moore (81.91 for Swiss Coffee). Hex values are approximate digital renderings only, and screens vary; the authoritative reference is always a physical paint chip from the retailer.
Upload one photo, get a photorealistic render, then swap to Swiss Coffee in one click. Free, no signup.
Room by room, exposure by exposure
| Situation | Usual winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| North-facing, cool light | White Dove | Its gray base handles cool light; Swiss Coffee can read more yellow here. |
| Bright south, warm light | Swiss Coffee | Warm light flatters its cream and reads inviting. |
| Kitchen cabinets | White Dove | The soft, not-yellow warm white reads clean on cabinets. |
| Trim and whole house | White Dove | The gray base reads timeless and soft across trim and doors. |
| Pairing with warm wood | Swiss Coffee | The creamier, warmer lean harmonizes with warm wood. |
| Pairing with cool whites or marble | White Dove | The gray base bridges cool stone; Swiss Coffee's warmth can fight it. |
Because both sit around LRV 82 to 85, depth is a small factor and the softer-versus-creamier lean does most of the work. White Dove wins wherever you want a soft, timeless warm white that will not yellow, especially on trim and cabinets. Swiss Coffee wins wherever you want a creamier, more inviting warm white and the room has warm light or warm wood. They are close enough that in some lights they nearly merge, so the only reliable way to tell them apart is on your own wall.
When to choose White Dove
- You want a soft, timeless warm white that will not read yellow, thanks to its gray base.
- You are painting trim, doors, or kitchen cabinets and want a clean, soft warm white.
- Your room gets cool north light or pairs with cool marble, where Swiss Coffee would look too yellow.
- You like a soft warm white that reads clean and crisp enough for trim. For the full breakdown, see our White Dove review and best rooms guide.
When to choose Swiss Coffee
- You want a creamier, more inviting warm white with a touch more yellow warmth.
- Your room gets warm light or pairs with warm wood, where the cream lean harmonizes.
- You like a best-selling warm white that reads cozy rather than crisp and clean.
- You want a warm wall white with presence, not a barely-there trim white. For a related matchup, see our Alabaster vs White Dove duel.
Same wall, both warm whites, your actual light. Free render in about 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between White Dove and Swiss Coffee?
The main difference is the lean, with a small depth gap. White Dove OC-17 has an LRV of about 85 and a gray base, so it reads as a softer, cleaner warm white that will not yellow. Swiss Coffee OC-45 has an LRV of about 82 and a creamier cast, so it reads a touch more yellow and inviting. Both are Benjamin Moore warm whites, so the choice comes down to softer versus creamier.
Which is lighter, White Dove or Swiss Coffee?
White Dove is a touch lighter. Its LRV is about 85, compared with about 82 for Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore lists 81.91). That 3-point gap is small but visible on the wall: White Dove reads a touch brighter and cleaner, while Swiss Coffee reads creamier and warmer. Both are soft warm whites, so pick the lean that fits your light and finishes, not the lighter one.
Do White Dove and Swiss Coffee have the same undertones?
They are in the same warm white family, but they lean differently. White Dove has a gray base that keeps it soft and keeps the yellow asleep. Swiss Coffee runs creamier with a touch more yellow warmth. They can nearly merge in some lights, which is why sampling both on your wall is the only reliable way to tell them apart.
Can I see both colors on my own wall before I buy paint?
Yes. Upload one photo of your room to FacadeColorizer, get a photorealistic render in White Dove, then swap to Swiss Coffee in one click. Because both sit around LRV 82 to 85, you are judging the softer-versus-creamier lean on your actual wall, in your actual light, which is the only honest way to settle this duel. The first HD render and three color variations are free.
1 HD render plus 3 free color variations. Start with White Dove, swap to Swiss Coffee in one click.
Trademark notice. Benjamin Moore, White Dove and Swiss Coffee are trademarks of Benjamin Moore & Co. FacadeColorizer is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Benjamin Moore. Brand and color names are used descriptively (nominative fair use). Hex and RGB values are approximate digital renderings; the only authoritative reference is a physical paint sample.
Trademarks mentioned (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Caparol, Brillux, Sto, Alpina, Valspar, PPG, Glidden, Dulux, Crown Trade, Sandtex, Farrow & Ball, Johnstone's, Leyland) are property of their respective owners. FacadeColorizer is independent and not affiliated with any of them. Nominative fair use under Lanham Act §1125.
