Paint matching
Matching a RAL number at the paint counter
What happens when you ask a paint shop for a RAL number: tinting machines, bases, product types and gloss, plus how much to order so it all comes from one batch.
Read the noteChart / 9000 series / RAL 9010 Pure white
RAL 9010 Pure white
A very light, almost neutral white, with a slightly warm cast on screen. First published on this chart 25 August 2012.
This swatch is a screen approximation of the colour. Check a physical RAL fan deck or a painted sample of the actual product before you order or match anything.
| Hex (sRGB) | #F7F9EF |
|---|---|
| RGB | 247, 249, 239 |
| HSL | 72°, 45%, 96% |
| CMYK (naive) | 1, 0, 4, 2 |
| CIE Lab (from sRGB) | 97.5, -2.4, 4.6 |
| Relative luminance | 93.8% |
| Text contrast | white text 1.1:1, black text 19.8:1 |
Values are derived from the approximate hex above. CMYK is a simple conversion, not a print recipe: printers convert through their own profiles. Luminance is a screen figure, not a measured light reflectance value (LRV) from a paint data sheet.
How RAL 9010 reads
Pure white is a soft, warm white, warmer than RAL 9016 traffic white and cooler than RAL 9001 cream. It is the white many people picture for walls and woodwork.
Where it turns up
It suits interior walls, window frames, doors and furniture. Compare it with existing white paint before buying, as whites differ by contrast.
Ordering RAL 9010 in paint or powder
Quote the number, not just the name: say "RAL Classic 9010" and add the gloss level, the product type (wall paint, metal paint, powder, aerosol) and the surface. The same number mixed by two makers, or in two gloss levels, can look slightly different, so keep a whole job in one batch and look at a sample in daylight first. The paint counter guide covers the questions to ask.