RAL 170-2 vs Pure White
RAL 170-2 (RAL Effect) and Pure White (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 170-2 reads as blue, while Pure White reads as beige-greige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 42-point LRV gap — 84 for Pure White vs 42 for RAL 170-2 — means Pure White will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 25.7 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 170-2 vs Pure White in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 170-2 and Pure White in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. Pure White returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Pure White returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Pure White returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Pure White returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
RAL 170-2 vs Pure White Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 170-2 on one side and Pure White 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 RAL 170-2 comparisons
See how RAL 170-2 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 42, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 42), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 170-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 30), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 42), opening up a space where RAL 170-2 encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 42, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 27, RAL 170-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 43 and 42, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 55 vs 42, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 44 vs 42), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 66 vs 42, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 42, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 12, RAL 170-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 8, RAL 170-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 42, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 12, RAL 170-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (45 vs 42) makes Saybrook Sage the marginally brighter of the two.
RAL 170-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 170-2 reflects far more light (LRV 42 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.