What color is Neutral Ground?
Neutral Ground (SW 7568) is a warm, light khaki off-white. Sherwin-Williams describes it as a warm white with khaki undertones, and at LRV 70.5 it sits right at the edge where off-white becomes a very light tan.
Neutral Ground undertones
Measured, its yellow–blue value is +8.8, warmer than Dover White (+7.5), and its green–red value is exactly 0.0. That combination is what reads as khaki: clear yellow warmth without pink or green. It can drift slightly yellow-green in some light and clashes with pink-beige or purple-taupe finishes.
Does Neutral Ground look yellow or gray?
It leans yellow-tan, not gray. In north light and dim rooms the warmth softens into a muted tan that can look drab; in sun it reads as a warm cream. If you want a gray-leaning off-white, look at Eider White instead.
Neutral Ground LRV and light
At LRV 70.5 it is soft enough to calm very bright rooms, but it needs reasonable light to avoid looking flat.
Muted tan, can look drab
Warm, sunny cream
Creamy in the morning, flatter later
Soft tan by day, golden at sunset
Simulated from the manufacturer's color values. Always test a sample in your own light.
Best uses for Neutral Ground
Living rooms, dining rooms and entries
Sherwin-Williams suggests it for living rooms, and it shines in rooms with warm light, wood floors and natural textures.
Bathrooms
It is also suggested for bathrooms, where it pairs well with warm stone, travertine and brass.
With wood trim and cabinets
Neutral Ground suits yellow-toned oak and many orange stains. Red or pink woods such as cherry can make it look green by contrast.
Exteriors
It works on homes with warm brick, beige windows and tan roofs. Many stones lean pink, so check it against your stone first.
Kitchens and cabinets
On walls it suits kitchens with oak or maple cabinets and warm granite. As a cabinet color its LRV of 70.5 is soft rather than crisp, and fewer counters suit its yellow undertone, so test it against your counter sample first.
With cream cabinets and trim
Cream finishes are a hard match: Neutral Ground is close to many creams, so the two blur together. Choose a clearly brighter trim instead.
Bedrooms
In a bedroom with warm bulbs it creates a soft, enveloping warmth that never looks stark.
When to avoid Neutral Ground
Avoid it in dark halls with dark floors, where it looks murky, and next to pink-beige stone or purple-taupe furniture. For a lighter, less yellow off-white, Natural Choice is 1.7 apart and a little cleaner.
Neutral Ground pros and cons
Pros
- Warm and welcoming, a soft alternative to beige.
- Excellent with yellow-toned wood, brass and warm stone.
- Soft enough to stop glare in sunny rooms.
Cons
- Can look drab or murky in dim rooms.
- Clashes with pink-beige and purple-taupe finishes.
- Too yellow for cool, gray-based schemes.
Best white trim for Neutral Ground
Pure White gives the cleanest contrast without looking cold. Alabaster, one of its coordinating colors, is the softer, warmer option. Avoid cream trims, which blur into it.
Neutral Ground color strip
LRV 86Dover White
LRV 83Creamy
LRV 81Aged White
LRV 74Neutral Ground
LRV 71Canvas Tan
LRV 64Patience
LRV 67
Neutral Ground hex code, RGB and LRV
Sherwin-Williams lists Neutral Ground (SW 7568) as hex #E2DACA and LRV 70.5.
Colors that go with Neutral Ground
Sherwin-Williams pairs it with Alabaster, Shell White and the deep Honed Soapstone, which gives a ready-made scheme: white trim, Neutral Ground walls and a dark accent on doors or an island.
Neutral Ground vs similar colors
Neutral Ground vs Natural Choice
Natural Choice (LRV 72.9) is lighter and less yellow, 1.7 apart, with a faint green note.
Neutral Ground vs Aged White
Aged White (SW 9180, LRV 74.1) is the closest, 1.3 apart: a touch lighter with similar warmth.
Neutral Ground vs Canvas Tan
Canvas Tan (SW 7531, LRV 64.3) is the next step deeper on the same strip, 2.4 apart.
Neutral Ground vs Accessible Beige
Accessible Beige (LRV 57.7) is a true greige, much deeper and grayer, 4.6 apart.
How to test Neutral Ground
Test it beside your floor, cabinets and any stone. If it looks green next to cherry or red oak, or pink stone makes it look yellow, choose a different off-white.
Colors similar to Neutral Ground
Aged White (SW 9180) is the closest Sherwin-Williams color, 1.3 apart. In Benjamin Moore, Fossil (AF-65) is 1.1 apart and Natural Cream 1.9.
| Color | Brand | LRV | Difference (ΔE) | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Sesame SW 9586 | Sherwin-Williams | 71.3 | 0.9 | — |
| Arrowroote SW 9502 | Sherwin-Williams | 73.5 | 1.2 | — |
| Warm Winter SW 9506 | Sherwin-Williams | 69.8 | 1.3 | — |
| Fossil AF-65 | Benjamin Moore | 71.6 | 1.1 | — |
| Fog Mist OC-31 | Benjamin Moore | 70.2 | 1.7 | — |
| Natural Cream OC-14 | Benjamin Moore | 64.8 | 1.9 | Review |
ΔE is the CIEDE2000 color difference between the two manufacturer colors: around 1 is barely visible; 2–3 is visible when the chips sit side by side.
Neutral Ground FAQs
What undertone is Sherwin-Williams Neutral Ground?
Warm khaki. Its yellow–blue value is +8.8 and its green–red value 0.0, so it reads as a light tan-cream without pink.
Does Neutral Ground look yellow?
It leans yellow-tan, especially beside bright white. With soft white trim and warm wood it reads as a warm cream.
Does SW Neutral Ground look gray?
No. It can look muted and drab in dim rooms, but it reads tan rather than gray.
What colors coordinate with Neutral Ground?
Sherwin-Williams lists Alabaster, Shell White and Honed Soapstone. Deeper tans and muted greens also pair well.
Is SW Neutral Ground a good color?
Yes, in rooms with decent light and warm finishes. It struggles in dark rooms and with pink-beige stone.
What is the LRV of Neutral Ground?
Sherwin-Williams lists Neutral Ground at LRV 70.5.
What white trim goes with Neutral Ground?
Pure White for clean contrast or Alabaster for a softer look. Avoid cream trims.
What is the Benjamin Moore equivalent of Neutral Ground?
Fossil (AF-65) is the closest in our data, 1.1 apart, followed by Fog Mist and Natural Cream.