Pick a base colour and instantly generate complementary, triadic, analogous, and monochromatic palettes. Copy hex codes with one click.
Colour harmony is based on the relationships between hues on the colour wheel — a circular arrangement of colours based on their chromatic relationships. The colour wheel was first developed by Isaac Newton in 1666 by mapping the visible spectrum into a circle. Modern colour theory recognises several types of harmonic relationships that predictably produce aesthetically pleasing combinations.
Complementary: Two colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel (180° apart). They create maximum contrast and visual tension — useful for call-to-action elements, logos, and designs that need to stand out. The most iconic complementary pairs: blue/orange, red/green, yellow/violet.
Triadic: Three colours equally spaced around the wheel (120° apart). Triadic palettes are vibrant and visually rich while remaining balanced. The primary colour triad (red, yellow, blue) is the most recognisable. To use a triadic palette effectively, choose one dominant colour and use the others as accents.
Analogous: Three to five colours adjacent on the colour wheel (15–30° apart). Analogous palettes are harmonious, comfortable, and found frequently in nature (autumn leaves, ocean shades). They lack contrast, so add a small amount of a complementary accent colour for visual interest.
Split-Complementary: A variation of complementary — instead of using the direct opposite, use the two colours on either side of the complement. This provides nearly as much contrast as complementary but is more versatile and less visually jarring.
Tetradic (Square): Four colours equally spaced (90° apart). Tetradic palettes are rich and complex. They work best when one colour dominates and the others serve as accents; using all four equally tends to feel chaotic.