Color Wheel Theory
Online free color palette generator with six harmony modes
How to Use Color Wheel Theory to Create Palettes That Work
The Color Wheel is a powerful tool that helps web designers find the perfect palette, brand designers test out vibrant combinations before their big reveal, and students explore the intricacies of color by diving into color wheel theory.
You have six harmony modes at your disposal: Complementary creates the most contrast by juxtaposing opposites; Monochromatic offers a subtle elegance using tints and shades of one color; the Analogous scheme color blends harmonious adjacent colors; and the Triadic color scheme is delightful with three equally spaced colors bursting vibrantly on any canvas.
For those who want complexity, the Tetradic offers two complementary pairs to play off each other beautifully. Complementary split colors provide high contrast but a sense of balance beyond mere opposites.
Use the interactive drag feature to pick your base color and get instant hex code displays. Tweak hue, saturation and lightness with HSL sliders and make design decisions with confidence.
Key Features
Harmony Modes
Six exciting styles to explore.
Interactive Drag
Choose base colors with ease.
HSL Sliders
Change hue, saturation and lightness.
Hex Code Display
Have the code on hand in a flash.
How to Use
Pick a Harmony Mode
There are different color harmony modes you can use to establish the relationship between the colors in your palette.
Pick a base color
Use the interactive color wheel to choose a base color for your palette.
Modify your palette
Discover the perfect color combination with the Hue, Saturation and Lightness sliders. Check out the palette below and copy any hex codes for easy use in design projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are complementary colors on the color wheel?
Complementary colors are colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel. Such as blue and orange or red and green. They provide the highest contrast and are often employed to make design elements stand out.
What is the difference between analogous and triadic color schemes?
An analogous scheme color is three colors sitting next to each other on the color wheel for a calm, harmonious look. A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are equally spaced apart from each other at 120 degrees. Triadic color schemes are vibrant and balanced with more variety.
What is split complementary and when should I use it?
Split complementary colors are a base color and the two colors next to its direct complement. It provides high contrast like complementary but with less of the visual tension that makes it a more forgiving choice for beginners.
Which color harmony mode is best for a website palette?
Analogous works well for interfaces that are calm and cohesive. Best call to action contrast is complementary. Triadic is balanced but allows for variety. The right choice will depend on the mood and brand identity of the website.
How do I use the hex codes from the color wheel in my design?
From the generated palette, click any color square to copy its hex code to your clipboard. Copy & paste directly into design applications like Figma, Canva, or Adobe XD or use in your CSS for web development.
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