Color Harmonies Generator
Create scientifically balanced color schemes. Visualize and export your palette instantly.
Base Color
Select Harmony
complementary Palette
Generated based on color theory relationships.
Export Palette Code
The Science of Color Harmonies
Why do some color combinations feel "right" while others clash? The answer lies in geometry. Color harmonies are time-tested formulas based on the color wheel that guarantee aesthetic balance.
Understanding the Color Wheel
Sir Isaac Newton invented the first color wheel in 1666, wrapping the linear color spectrum into a circle. This simple act revealed relationships between colors that artists and designers have used for centuries. The wheel is divided into:
- PrimaryRed, Yellow, Blue. The parents of all other colors. They cannot be created by mixing others.
- SecondaryGreen, Orange, Purple. Created by mixing two primaries together (e.g., Red + Yellow = Orange).
- TertiaryYellow-Orange, Red-Purple, etc. Created by mixing a primary with a secondary.
The 7 Essential Color Harmonies
Our tool automatically generates these seven classic schemes. Here is how to use each one effectively in your projects.
1. Complementary (High Contrast)
Formula: Two colors directly opposite each other (180° apart).
complementary schemes are the "power couples" of color theory (Red/Green, Blue/Orange, Purple/Yellow). They create the highest possible contrast, making them energetic and attention-grabbing. Use this for Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons or highlights, but never for text on a background—it will cause "vibration" and eye strain.
2. Analogous (Natural Harmony)
Formula: Three colors next to each other (e.g., Blue, Blue-Green, Green).
Analogous schemes are found everywhere in nature—think of a forest (variations of green) or a sunset (reds and oranges). They are serene, comfortable, and low-contrast. This is the safest bet for background designs, data visualization, and professional documents where readability is key.
3. Triadic (Vibrant Balance)
Formula: Three colors evenly spaced in a triangle (120° apart).
Triadic palettes offer the best of both worlds: the visual contrast of complementary colors with the balance of analogous ones. They are vibrant and youthful. A classic example is the Burger King logo (Red, Blue, Yellow) or the Joker (Green, Purple, Orange). Use one color as dominant and the other two for accents.
4. Split-Complementary (Safe Contrast)
Formula: Base color + the two colors adjacent to its complement.
If a complementary scheme feels too aggressive, use split-complementary. Instead of Red + Green, you might use Red + Blue-Green + Yellow-Green. It retains the strong visual contrast but feels more sophisticated and less jarring. Highly recommended for beginners.
5. Monochromatic (Modern & Clean)
Formula: Single Hue with variations in saturation and lightness (Tints, Shades, Tones).
Monochromatic design is a huge trend in modern SaaS and app design. It looks clean, specific, and trustworthy. By using only one hue (e.g., Brand Blue), you eliminate the risk of clashing colors entirely. Contrast is created solely through brightness (dark blue text on light blue background).
Pro Design Tips: The 60-30-10 Rule
Once you have generated your colors using our tool, how do you apply them? The golden rule of interior design and UI is 60-30-10.
Primary / Neutral
Your dominant color. Usually a neutral background or a soft tint. It sets the tone.
Secondary
Supports the primary. Used for cards, sidebars, headers, or distinct sections.
Accent
The "Call to Action". Used sparingly for buttons, links, and critical alerts.
Accessibility First
Color harmonies are theoretical. Real-world design requires accessibility. Always check if your generated text color has enough contrast against the background.
Use Contrast CheckerFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RGB and RYB color models?
Great question! This tool uses the RGB (Red-Green-Blue) model, which is the standard for all digital screens (Web, Mobile, TV). In RGB, the primary colors are Red, Green, and Blue. However, traditional art schools teach the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) model, which is used for mixing physical paint. The position of colors on the wheel differs slightly between them. For web design and UI, you should always maximize harmony using the RGB model provided here.
How do I fix a color palette that feels 'boring'?
A 'boring' palette usually lacks contrast in saturation or brightness. If you are using a Monochromatic scheme, try expanding the range—make your lights lighter and your darks darker. Alternatively, switch to a Split-Complementary scheme to introduce a 'pop' of contrasting color (your 10% accent) without overwhelming the design.
Can I use these color codes for print (CMYK)?
You can, but be careful. Digital screens (RGB) can display millions of bright, neon colors that physical ink (CMYK) cannot reproduce. If you are designing a logo for both web and print, we recommend choosing slightly desaturated versions of your colors to ensure consistency across media. Use our Color Converter to check the CMYK values.
What is the 'Square' harmony?
The Square harmony is a specific version of the Tetradic (Rectangle) scheme. In a Square harmony, the four colors are spaced evenly around the wheel (90° apart). This creates a palette with two complementary pairs (e.g., Red/Green and Blue/Orange). It is extremely colorful and vibrant, usually best for playful brands or children's products.
Why is Monochromatic considered a harmony?
Technically, harmony implies the relationship between different colors. However, Monochromatic is accepted as a harmony type because it creates visual cohesion. By restricting the hue to a single slice of the spectrum and only varying the 'Value' (brightness) and 'Chroma' (saturation), you guarantee that elements will belong together.
What are 'Compound' colors?
Compound harmonies (sometimes called Split-Analogous) are a hybrid. They take a standard Analogous scheme (e.g., Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow) and pair it with a complementary color from the opposite side. This gives you the soothing transition of analogous colors with the sharp punch of a complement.
How many colors should I have in my design system?
For a robust Design System (like Material Design or Tailwind), you typically need: 1 Primary Brand Color (with 5-9 shades), 1 Secondary/Accent Color (with 3-4 shades), 1 Semantic Range (Red for Error, Green for Success, Yellow for Warning), and a Neutral Scale (Greys/Slates for text and backgrounds).
Does this tool support OKLCH?
Currently, our harmony calculations are based on HSL (Hue-Saturation-Lightness) which is the industry standard for geometric color wheels. However, our Code Export feature can generate modern CSS variables. We are working on adding OKLCH support for even more perceptually uniform gradients in the future.
What defines a 'Warm' vs 'Cool' color palette?
The color wheel is split in half. Warm Colors (Red, Orange, Yellow) evoke energy, heat, passion, and urgency. Cool Colors (Blue, Green, Purple) evoke calm, trust, nature, and professionalism. Most banking apps use Cool colors (Blue), while food apps often use Warm colors (Red/Orange) to stimulate appetite.
Is copying the HEX code enough for developers?
For simple projects, yes. But for professional apps, you should export the Tailwind or CSS Variables provided in the 'Ready-to-use Code' section. This allows developers to use semantic names like var(--color-primary) instead of hardcoded hex values, making the app themeable and easier to maintain.