Mastering Color Blending
Finding the perfect shade often lies somewhere in between two existing colors. Our Advanced Color Mixer helps designers, developers, and artists mathematically blend two colors to find that exact midpoint. We go beyond simple RGB math by offering a Subtractive (Paint) simulation mode, perfect for artists predicting how inks or paints will mix.
Paint vs. Digital
Most online mixers only do RGB (Light). But artists know that Yellow + Blue = Green. RGB mixers say Yellow + Blue = Grey/White. Toggle our Paint Mode to see how physical pigments behave.
Fluid Gradients
Create ultra-smooth gradients by generating up to 20 intermediate steps. Copy the CSS instantly to create rich, non-linear backgrounds for your websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does mixing Green and Red make Yellow in paint, but Brown on screen?
This is the difference between Additive (Light) and Subtractive (Pigment) color mixing. Screens use light (RGB), where Red + Green = Yellow. Paint absorbs light (Subtractive), where mixing complementary colors often results in a muddy brown or grey. Our tool allows you to switch between these modes to simulate both effects.
What is Subtractive Mixing?
Subtractive mixing simulates how physical pigments (like ink, paint, or dye) interact. In this model, mixing Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow (CMYK) creates darker colors, eventually leading to black. Digital screens usually cannot perfectly replicate this, but our 'Paint Mode' mathematically approximates it.
How do I calculate the midpoint between two HEX colors?
Mathematically, you convert the HEX values to R, G, and B integers, find the average of each channel (R1+R2)/2, and then convert back to HEX. Our tool does this automatically and lets you adjust the ratio if you want the midpoint to lean closer to one color.
Can I use this for CSS Gradients?
Yes! When you mix two colors, we automatically generate a linear-gradient CSS code that includes the start, midpoint, and end colors. This creates a much smoother transition than a standard 2-stop gradient, especially for contrasting colors.
What color format is best for web design?
HEX codes (e.g., #FF5733) are the most popular for web dev. However, RGB or HSL are often better for programmatic manipulation because you can adjust individual channels (like adding more 'Red' or increasing 'Lightness') without complex math.
Why do some mixed colors look 'muddy'?
In standard RGB mixing, the path between two vibrant colors often passes through a desaturated greyish zone. This is a limitation of the RGB color space. 'Perceptual' mixing models (like OKLAB or LCH) try to fix this by taking a curved path through the color wheel to preserve vibrancy, though simple linear interpolation is standard for most web CSS.
What is the difference between Tint, Shade, and Tone?
Tint: Mixing a color with White (making it lighter). Shade: Mixing a color with Black (making it darker). Tone: Mixing a color with Grey (reducing saturation). You can simulate these in our tool by setting one of the mix colors to White, Black, or Grey.
How accurate is the 'Paint' simulation?
It is an approximation based on the CMYK color model. Real physical paint mixing depends on chemical properties, opacity, and binding agents of the specific brand of paint. Use our tool as a solid guide, but always test real paint on canvas.
Can I mix more than two colors?
Currently, this tool is optimized for precise 2-color blending to find intermediate steps. To mix a palette of multiple colors, try our Palette Generator or Color Harmonies tool.
Does this tool work for print design?
If you are designing for print, use the Paint (CMYK) mode. However, screens are RGB devices and cannot display the full range of CMYK colors precisely. Always trust actual physical color swatches (like Pantone) for critical print work.
How the math works
Digital color mixing uses Linear Interpolation (LERP) on the Red, Green, and Blue channels separately. By averaging these values based on your ratio, we create a mathematical blend. For our "Paint Simulation", we first convert the colors to the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key) color space, mix them there to simulate ink absorption, and then convert back to RGB for your screen.