Pure White vs Marshmallow
Pure White (RAL Classic) and Marshmallow (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Pure White reads as beige-white, while Marshmallow reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 84 vs 82 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. A ΔE of 2.2 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Pure White vs Marshmallow in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Pure White and Marshmallow are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. At this scale the difference is subtle — you'd need them side by side, as shown here, to reliably tell them apart.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. In photos like these you're seeing the difference at its most direct. In a finished room, the distinction is there but not dramatic.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. In photos like these you're seeing the difference at its most direct. In a finished room, the distinction is there but not dramatic.
Color Details
Pure White vs Marshmallow Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Pure White on one side and Marshmallow on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Pure White comparisons
See how Pure White stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 84 vs 69, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 84 and 83, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 52, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 84 vs 30, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 52), opening up a space where Mizzle encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 60, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 58), opening up a space where Accessible Beige encloses it.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 43, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 84 vs 4, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 84 vs 84), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 84 vs 21, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 66), opening up a space where Balboa Mist encloses it.
Pure White reads slightly lighter (LRV 84 vs 74), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 84 and 83, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 84 vs 51, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 68), opening up a space where Skimming Stone encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 41, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 31, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.