Shades of white are colors that differ only slightly from pure white.
Variations of white include what are commonly termed off-white colors, which may be considered
part of a neutral color scheme.
In color theory, a shade is a pure color mixed with black.
Strictly speaking, a “shade of white” would be a neutral gray.
This article is also about off-white colors that vary from pure white in hue, and in chroma.
Colors often considered "shades of white" may include, among others, cream, eggshell,
ivory, Navajo white, and vanilla.
Even the lighting of a room, however, can cause a pure white to be perceived as off-white.
Off-white colors were pervasively paired with beiges in the 1930s, and especially popular
again from roughly 1955 to 1975.
Shades of White Below is a chart showing the computer web
color shades of white.
An achromatic white is a white color in which the red, green, and blue codes are exactly
equal.
The web colors white and white smoke are achromatic colors.
A chromatic shade of white is a white color in which the red, green, and blue codes are
not exactly equal, but are close to each other, which is what makes it a shade of white.
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three
types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in equal amounts and with high brightness
compared to the surroundings.
A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.
White is the lightest possible color.
Variations of white Ghost white
The web color ghost white is a tint of white associated with what it is imagined the color
of a ghost might be.
There is no evidence that this color name was in use before the X11 color names were
formulated in 1987.
Baby powder
The Crayola crayon color baby powder was introduced in 1994 as part of its specialty Magic Scent
crayon collection.
Snow
The web color snow is displayed at left.
The first recorded use of snow as a color name in English was in 1000.
The color "snow" was included as one of the X11 colors when they were formulated in 1987.
Ivory
Ivory is an off-white color that resembles ivory, the material out of which the teeth
and tusks of animals is made.
It has a very slight tint of yellow.
The first recorded use of ivory as a color name in English was in 1385.
The color "ivory" was included as one of the X11 colors when they were formulated in 1987.
Floral white
The web color floral white is displayed at left.
There is no evidence that this color name was in use before the X11 color names were
formulated in 1987.
Seashell
Seashell is an off-white color that resembles some of the very pale pinkish tones that are
common in many seashells.
The first recorded use of seashell as a color name in English was in 1926.
In 1987, "seashell" was included as one of the X11 colors.
Cornsilk
Cornsilk is a color that is a representation of the color of cornsilk.
The first recorded use of cornsilk as a color name in English was in 1927.
In 1987, "cornsilk" was included as one of the X11 colors.
Old lace
Old lace is a web color that is a very pale yellowish orange that resembles the color
of an old lace tablecloth.
It is one of the original X11 colors.
Old Lace is used as a color of a certain kind of Caucasian skin type in art.
Cream
Cream is a color that is a representation of the color of the cream produced by cattle.
The first recorded use of cream as a color name in English was in 1590.
In 1987, "cream" was included as one of the X11 colors.
Beige
The color beige is displayed at left.
The first recorded use of beige as a color name in English was in 1887.
The term originates from beige cloth, a cotton fabric left undyed in its natural color.
Linen
Linen is a web color that is a very pale orange color that resembles the color of linen.
It is one of the original X11 colors.
Antique white
Antique white is a web color.
The color name antique white began to be used in 1987 when the X11 colors were first formulated.
Champagne
The color champagne is displayed at right.
The color's name is derived from the typical color of the beverage champagne.
The first recorded use of champagne as a color name in English was in 1915.
Eggshell
The color eggshell is displayed at right.
The color eggshell is a representation of the average color of chicken eggs, including
both white ones and brown ones.
Dutch white
Displayed at right is the color Dutch white.
Dutch white is one of the colors on the Resene Color List, a color list widely popular in
Australia and New Zealand.
The color "Dutch white" was formulated in 2000.
Bone
The color bone is displayed at left.
This color is a representation of the color of bones.
The first recorded use of bone as a color name in English was in the first decade of
the 19th century, i.e., between 1800 and 1810.
"Bone" colored paint is often used by landlords to paint vacant apartments that are for rent
since it hides dirt and stains better than white.
Vanilla
The color vanilla is a rich tint of off-white as well as a medium pale tint of yellow.
The first recorded use of vanilla as a color name in English was in 1925.
Flax
The color flax is displayed at right.
The first recorded use of flax as a color name in English was in 1915.
Navajo white
Navajo White is a whitish orange color, and derives its name from its similarity to the
background color of the Navajo Nation ethnic flag.
In 1987, Navajo white was included as one of the X11 colors.
Ecru
Ecru describes the shade grayish-pale yellow or a light grayish-yellowish brown.
It is often used to describe such fabrics as silk and linen in their unbleached state.
Ecru comes from the French word écru, which means literally 'raw' or 'unbleached'.
References
See also Beige
List of colors Shades of black
Variations of gray