Extra White vs First Star
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Hue-wise, Extra White belongs to the white family and First Star to the grey family. Extra White (LRV 86) reflects noticeably more light than First Star (LRV 69), a difference of 16 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 7.6 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Extra White vs First Star in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Extra White and First Star 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
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that Extra White will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than First Star would.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Extra White reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than First Star.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Extra White reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than First Star.
Color Details
Extra White vs First Star Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Extra White on one side and First Star 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 Extra White comparisons
See how Extra White stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
