What Color is the White House?

White paint sounds simple until you start looking at paint swatches! Warm whites, cool whites, creamy whites, crisp whites...there are so many choices.

And while we're on the subject of white paint, we thought it would be fun to revisit one of our favorite blogs we wrote a few years go.

What Color Is the White House?

Yes, the White House has an actual paint color!

For many years, the documented exterior color of the White House has been Whisper White by Duron Paint. Duron was acquired by Sherwin-Williams in 2004, and the historic White House paint has also been identified as Duron Exterior Alkyd/Oil Gloss, “Whisper – 248.”

The White House was still being painted with Duron Whisper White as recently as 2019, when crews gave the exterior a fresh coat.

But here's an important 2026 update: We could not find a current official source from the White House, National Park Service, or White House Historical Association confirming that the exact Duron Whisper White formula is still being used today.

So, rather than saying Whisper White is definitively the paint currently being applied to the White House, we think it's more accurate to call it the best-documented modern White House paint color.

And Just How Much White Paint Does the White House Need?

Here's the part that still amazes us:

According to the White House Historical Association, it takes approximately 570 gallons of white paint to cover the exterior of the Residence—the central portion of the White House—excluding the East and West Wings.

And contrary to the old fun fact that the entire White House is repainted every year, that's not quite the case.

The exterior is cleaned and touched up annually as needed, while a complete coat of paint is generally applied approximately every four to six years.

Why Is the White House White?

The color isn't purely decorative.

The original exterior walls of the White House were constructed of Aquia Creek sandstone from Virginia. The historic masonry was coated to help protect the porous stone from weather and deterioration.

During a major exterior preservation project, dozens of layers of paint were removed from the sandstone so the historic stonework could be repaired. Once the preservation work was completed, the exterior was painted white again.

So that iconic white exterior isn't simply a color choice—it has played an important role in preserving one of America's most recognizable buildings.

The White House Paint Color at a Glance

Historic/Documented Color: Whisper White
Brand: Duron Paint
Historic Specification: Whisper – 248
Duron: Acquired by Sherwin-Williams in 2004
Last application we could independently document: 2019
2026 status: The White House remains white, but we could not verify an official current manufacturer or paint formula
Paint required for the Residence: Approximately 570 gallons
Maintenance: Cleaned and touched up annually; generally fully recoated every 4–6 years

Who knew there was so much history behind a can of white paint?

Here are a few of Kandrac & Kole’s favorite white paint colors!

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa SW7551 - Photo by Lauren Rubinstein Photography

Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW7008 - Photo by Margaret Wright Photography

Sherwin Williams Egret White SW7570 - photo by Lauren Rubinstein Photography

Sherwin Williams Shoji White SW7042 - Photo by Catmax Photography

We love that color is making such a strong comeback in interiors, but that doesn’t mean we’re saying goodbye to white walls. A beautiful white paint color can be the perfect backdrop for a room, especially when you want to bring in color through fabrics, furnishings, artwork, rugs, and accessories. In fact, some of our favorite colorful spaces start with white walls. They give everything else in the room a chance to really stand out. The key is choosing the right white for your space, your light, and overall design!