Swiss Coffee (OC-45) and White Dove (OC-17) are Benjamin Moore's two favorite soft, warm whites. They are close; the difference is a little warmth and a little brightness.
Side-by-side numbers
| Swiss Coffee | White Dove | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Benjamin Moore | Benjamin Moore |
| Code | OC-45 | OC-17 |
| Hex | #EEECE1 | #EFEEE5 |
| RGB | 238, 236, 225 | 239, 238, 229 |
| LRV | 81.9 | 83.2 (lighter) |
| Yellow–blue (b*) | +5.6 (warmer) | +4.5 |
| Green–red (a*) | −1.2 | −1.2 |
| Difference (ΔE) | 1.0 |
Hex, RGB and LRV from the manufacturers' color records. CIELAB values and ΔE (CIEDE2000) calculated from those hex values.
White Dove is slightly brighter (LRV 83.16 vs 81.91). The ΔE of 1.0 means the difference is only visible side by side.
Undertones: Swiss Coffee vs White Dove
Swiss Coffee is the warmer, creamier one (yellow–blue +5.6 vs +4.5). Both share the same slight green-gray lean (green–red −1.2), so neither looks pink.
How they compare in each light
In warm light Swiss Coffee looks creamier; in north light both soften toward gray, White Dove a little more.
Simulated from the manufacturer's color values. Always test samples in your own light.
Which one fits your room?
Choose Swiss Coffee if…
- You want a cozier, creamier white
- Your home has warm woods and warm lighting
- You want cabinets with a soft, vintage feel
Choose White Dove if…
- You want the more versatile, slightly brighter white
- You mix warm and cool finishes
- You want less risk of a yellow look next to white counters
Room by room: where Swiss Coffee and White Dove each work
Living rooms
Swiss Coffee and White Dove are both warm Benjamin Moore whites, and with a difference of 1.0 they look almost the same on a wall. Swiss Coffee has a little more yellow (b* 5.6 against 4.5), so it feels creamier in a living room with warm lamps. White Dove reads slightly cleaner and brighter.
Bedrooms
Swiss Coffee is the cozier bedroom white, especially in north light where it holds its warmth. White Dove is the better choice if you want the room to feel lighter and more neutral.
Kitchens and cabinets
White Dove is one of the most used cabinet whites because it reads white without looking stark. Swiss Coffee on cabinets looks creamier and suits warm counters, brass hardware and wood floors.
Bathrooms
Under warm bulbs Swiss Coffee can look buttery in a small bathroom. White Dove holds up better in that light.
Exteriors
Outdoors both read as soft whites in sun. Swiss Coffee looks warmer and a little more traditional; White Dove looks cleaner. Sample on the actual siding, as surrounding roof and brick color will shift both.
Trim and colors to pair with each
Benjamin Moore lists Balboa Mist (OC-27) and Revere Pewter (HC-172) among the coordinating colors for White Dove, and White Drifts (OC-138) and Fossil (AF-65) for Swiss Coffee. For trim, White Dove works on Swiss Coffee walls, giving a barely visible step lighter.
Coordinating colors listed by the manufacturers:
- Swiss Coffee: White Drifts (OC-138), LRV 73.7; Lush (AF-475), LRV 21.1; Fossil (AF-65), LRV 71.6; Newburg Green (HC-158), LRV 10.6
- White Dove: Balboa Mist (OC-27), LRV 65.5; Kendall Charcoal (HC-166), LRV 14.6; Revere Pewter (HC-172), LRV 55.0; Country Redwood (HC-183), LRV 8.0
Can you use Swiss Coffee and White Dove in the same house?
Yes. At a difference of 1.0 they behave like one color in most rooms, so you can use White Dove on trim and cabinets with Swiss Coffee walls without any visible clash.
If neither is quite right
If both feel too warm or too bright, the table lists the nearest color in each direction.
| Direction | Color | Brand | LRV | ΔE to Swiss Coffee | ΔE to White Dove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lighter | White Heron (OC-57) | Benjamin Moore | 86.7 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Darker | Dove Wing (OC-18) | Benjamin Moore | 77.5 | 1.3 | 2.0 |
| Warmer | Classic Light Buff (SW 0050) | Sherwin-Williams | 82.5 | 2.0 | 2.9 |
Read the full reviews
Swiss Coffee review · White Dove review
Swiss Coffee vs White Dove FAQs
Is Swiss Coffee warmer than White Dove?
Yes, slightly (yellow–blue +5.6 vs +4.5), so it reads creamier.
Which is brighter?
White Dove (LRV 83.16 vs 81.91).
Which is better for kitchen cabinets?
White Dove is the safer all-round choice; Swiss Coffee suits warm kitchens.
Can you tell them apart?
Only side by side on large samples. Their measured difference is 1.0, around the threshold where most people start to see a change.
Which is better for trim?
White Dove, because it is slightly lighter and cleaner, so it reads as trim against Swiss Coffee walls.