What Is Arctic White Color? | More Than One Shade

Arctic White is a color name that maps to different codes and appearances depending on the manufacturer or color system using it.

For the full breakdown, see our best Arctic White Paint guide.

Ask three different brands what Arctic White looks like, and you’ll get three different answers. That’s because Arctic White isn’t one standardized shade with a single universal code — it’s a product and color name shared across paint lines, color systems, and industrial coatings. The exact hex code, RGB value, and finish all depend on who’s selling it. Here’s what Arctic White actually means across the sources that use it, so you know what you’re looking at before you buy.

Arctic White in Color Reference Systems

In the world of digital color references, Arctic White appears as a specific set of values. The most common representation is #E4EDF1, with an RGB breakdown of 228, 237, 241 and CMYK values of 5%, 2%, 0%, and 6%. That puts it in the family of very pale, cool off-whites with a faint blue undertone from the cyan in its mix.

There’s also an Arctic White in the RAL Design system, one of Europe’s standard color-matching systems. That version carries the code RAL 180 93 05, uses the German name Arktisweiß, and displays as #E5F1EC. If you compare the two side by side, you’ll notice the RAL version leans slightly greener — the red and blue channels shift just enough to change the undertone.

One important detail about the digital references: color sites note that Arctic White is not part of the standard HTML/CSS web color list, so you can’t call it by name in code. You’d use the hex value instead.

Arctic White as a Paint Product

When Arctic White appears on a paint can, it’s describing a product, not just a color chip. KLEIB’s line includes an ARCTIC WHITE interior paint described as a snow-white, anti-reflective latex formula for walls and ceilings indoors. Along with the bright white look, that product is marketed with stain-resistant properties and reduced susceptibility to dirt pickup — practical features for high-traffic rooms or homes with kids and pets.

Because different paint brands formulate their Arctic White with different bases and finishes, the same name can look slightly different on your wall depending on the manufacturer. That’s why paint stores always recommend testing a sample patch before committing to a full wall.

Arctic White in Industrial Coatings

Sherwin-Williams also sells a color called Arctic White through its industrial coatings division, aimed at the coil and extrusion market. That product page works a little differently: rather than publishing full technical specs openly, it directs buyers to the individual product datasheet for exact numbers on coverage, cure time, and performance.

The takeaway here is that Arctic White in an industrial context isn’t just a decorative color — it’s a functional coating engineered for manufacturing processes. The color is part of the package, but the performance specs are what actually matter to the industrial buyer.

Why the Confusion Happens

The single biggest mistake people make is treating Arctic White as one standardized shade. In reality, the name appears in at least three distinct contexts, each with its own code and appearance:

• Digital color reference: hex #E4EDF1, RGB 228, 237, 241
• RAL Design system: RAL 180 93 05, hex #E5F1EC
• Paint and coating products: varies by manufacturer and formula

That color-reference green-tinted RAL chip won’t match the industrial coating, and neither may match the KLEIB interior paint exactly, even though all three carry the Arctic White name. The RAL Design page also notes its Arctic White records a light reflectance value of 83.56, which is useful if you’re comparing brightness across whites.

FAQs

Is Arctic White a standard HTML color?

No. Arctic White is not included in the official web color list, so you can’t reference it by name in CSS or HTML code. To use the shade in a web project, you’d work with the hex value #E4EDF1 or the RGB values 228, 237, 241 instead of relying on a named color.

What undertones does Arctic White have?

Arctic White typically reads as a cool white with subtle blue undertones, though the exact cast depends on the version. The standard color reference leans faintly blue, while the RAL Design version pulls slightly greener. Paint manufacturers may formulate their versions differently, so undertones can vary from brand to brand.

Does Arctic White paint look the same across brands?

Not necessarily. Different manufacturers use different pigment bases and finishes, so an Arctic White wall paint from KLEIB won’t necessarily match an Arctic White coating from an industrial line. If color consistency matters, test a sample from your chosen brand before painting a full surface.