Sherwin Williams Extra White is a well-loved, clean, crisp white with no obvious undertones that lifts any room.
Picking a white paint might sound simple, but it's notoriously tricky. Why? Because white paint isn't just white!
If white paint were that simple, why would the market offer dozens of options?
The truth is that white paints carry undertones that change how each shade looks. You'll find blue, gray, greige, beige, taupe, pink or a mix of several undertones in whites. No wonder choosing one can be so complicated!
Not long ago I reviewed one of my favorite whites: Benjamin Moore's Simply White. It's a clean, reliable go-to that I've used and loved in several parts of my home.
Now I'd like to introduce another crisp white: Sherwin Williams's Extra White (SW 7006). This shade is a true classic and a rarity, since it has no obvious undertones.
Let's take a closer look at this modern, fresh white!
NOTE: If you're painting it yourself, these tools will make the job easier. You may also find my best tips for painting a room in 5 simple steps useful.
What color is Sherwin Williams Extra White?
Here are a few key facts about this timeless shade:
- It's a fresh white with a slight cool lean
- A bright white with an LRV of 86
- A designer favorite for walls, ceilings, trim and cabinets
- A clean, crisp white that's bright without feeling harsh
Undertones in Extra White
Extra White is a versatile, fresh white with no obvious undertones. But since no color is entirely free of them, let's reveal Extra White's secret.
It carries just a hint of blue, which gives it that crisp, clean look. Most of the time, SW Extra White reads as a clean white.
However, in rooms with cool-toned light (for example, north-facing light or morning light from the west), you may notice a touch of blue undertone.
In warm-toned light, though, Extra White looks balanced.
Fun fact: Extra White is usually the default shade in Sherwin Williams cans. Put simply, if you buy a can of paint and don't have it tinted, it will probably be Extra White.
Bottom line: Extra White is a balanced white with very slightly cool undertones.
How Extra White Stacks Up Against Other Whites
Here's how Extra White compares with other popular whites.
Extra White vs. Alabaster shows that SW Alabaster is warm, nearly beige by comparison. Extra White vs. Simply White shows that Simply White is only a little warmer. And Snowbound is very close to Extra White.
Pro Tip
Whenever you choose a new paint color, test the real paint in your own home first!
The easiest, quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I now use them exclusively for paint samples. There's no mess and no leftover sample pots. Plus, these peel-and-stick rectangles are made from real paint, so they're easy to move around the room and easy to keep for future reference!
Order Real Paint Samples
The LRV of SW Extra White
Light reflectance value (LRV) measures how much light a paint color reflects rather than absorbs. A higher LRV means the color bounces back more light. Put another way, LRV 100 is pure white and LRV 0 is pure black.
Extra White has a Light Reflectance Value of 86.
Sherwin Williams Extra White is the second-brightest white in the Sherwin Williams line, behind only High Reflective White. It isn't much brighter than SW Snowbound, but it looks noticeably brighter because it lacks the gray undertones that make Snowbound look muted.
Colors That Pair Well With Sherwin Williams Extra White
Extra White looks great with many colors, especially cool-toned, deeper shades. Sherwin Williams suggests pairing it with:
- Smoky Azurite
- Charcoal Blue
I think it looks amazing with some of my own favorites, including:
- Mindful Gray
- Repose Gray
- Snowfall
- Iron Ore
- Light French Gray
- Storm Cloud
- Naval
- Sea Salt
- Chelsea Gray
The Best Trim Colors to Pair With Extra White
If you pick Extra White for your walls, you'll need to decide what color to paint the trim.
You could paint the trim Extra White too, if you love the color but worry about its undertones. It's a good way to soften them.
To add contrast between trim and walls in the same shade, try different paint finishes. I suggest semi-gloss on the trim so it looks a little brighter, and eggshell on the interior walls so the wall color reads slightly deeper.
Another option is a brighter white for the trim, for even more contrast against your SW Extra White walls. Good choices include Sherwin Williams High Reflective White and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.
Where can you use Sherwin Williams Extra White?
Extra White by Sherwin Williams is a classic, timeless white. Feel free to use it almost anywhere, and it's especially helpful for opening up small spaces or rooms with low ceilings.
You could also try it on:
- Doors
- Wall molding
- Trim
- Cabinets
- Built-ins
- Ceilings
- Interior walls
- Fireplaces and feature pieces
- Exterior surfaces
Is Sherwin Williams Extra White a good color for cabinets?
Yes! With no obvious undertones, it's a reliable go-to for cabinets.
Home Styles That Work With Extra White
- Farmhouse
- Modern
- Traditional
- Transitional
- And many more
Room Examples Using Sherwin Williams Extra White
I've collected a few examples of SW Extra White (SW 7006) to show how it looks in different rooms and lighting. Notice how different decor colors and settings change the way Extra White appears.
A Kitchen in Extra White
I love my kitchen, but I really dream of one as lovely as this one from Paper Moon Painting. There's enough natural light that a darker shade would look great too, yet Extra White makes this room "pop." Or maybe it's all those fun splashes of color?
A Living Room in Sherwin Williams Extra White
This living room from Chrissy Marie Blog is stunning! The SW Extra White walls create a simple, timeless backdrop, which she accents with a few touches of blue and wood tones.
A Bedroom in SW Extra White
This bedroom from Rethink Design Studio is on the small side, but Extra White makes it feel much more spacious. A simple shade like this can sometimes feel overdone, but paired with texture, like the ceiling beams, it never gets dull.
Take a look at my top Bedroom Paint Colors to see whether Extra White makes the list!
Accents Painted in Sherwin Williams Extra White
This color looks great on fireplaces, built-ins and moulding. As it happens, this photo from Maison de Pax includes all of them together! Notice how clean, timeless and simply gorgeous these Extra White accents look.
Extra White on the Exterior
This paint's brightness makes it a great exterior shade in overcast climates. In other climates, it works beautifully as a crisp white trim color, as seen on this house from Kylie M Interiors.
Common Questions
Is Sherwin Williams Extra White warm or cool?
Extra White leans slightly cool. It looks cooler in shadowy light, and balanced, even a little warm, in bright, warm light.
Does Extra White look yellow?
Not at all! This shade has no yellow undertones and leans only slightly toward the cool end. Rather than looking yellow, Extra White looks pure, bright and fresh.
Can I use Sherwin Williams Extra White on my home's exterior?
Yes, with the caveat that your climate and surroundings matter. Extra White looks incredible as a trim color on almost any home.
If you're considering it for the main body of the house, it works best in overcast or cooler climates, where it won't look too bright.
How do I choose a white paint color?
Picking a white paint is tough! Read my article on how to choose a white paint color for tips and tricks that make the task easier.
Sherwin Williams Extra White is a clean, fresh white that gives any space a chic, timeless feel. It's an ideal choice when you want a room to look more spacious!
More Paint Colors to Explore
If you're looking for reliable go-to shades for your home, here are a few of my favorites:
Tools to Help You Paint a Room Yourself
Here are some handy tools for painting a room yourself. I suggest starting with my tips on painting a room in 5 easy steps. I do nearly all of my own painting, and these tools make the job easier and give professional-looking results!
- Paint Brush – These brushes cost a bit more than basic ones, but they're worth it! I've used the same brushes for more than a decade, and if you wash them thoroughly after each use, they'll last for years.
- Painter's Tape – an absolute must for taping off edges. If your hand isn't steady, you'll want to tape every edge.
- Drop Cloths – essential for protecting flooring and furniture from drips.
- Paint Cup – Sure, any old cup would do, but I've come to swear by this one. The magnetic piece holds your brush neatly in place when you take a break, and it fits my hand perfectly, so it doesn't cramp.
- Roller Tray – This is the only paint tray I'll ever use again. The magnetic piece holds the roller in place nicely. The liners are a bit of a luxury, but I won't paint without them, because cleanup is a breeze!
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