Colour Wheel Calculator — Colour Harmonies

Complementary colours sit directly opposite each other on the colour wheel — for example, red and green, blue and orange, yellow and violet. When placed side by side, they create maximum contrast and visual vibration. When mixed together, they create neutral greys and browns.

A triadic scheme uses three colours equally spaced around the colour wheel (120 degrees apart). The primary triad (red, yellow, blue) is the most familiar example. Triadic schemes offer strong visual contrast while maintaining colour balance.

Analogous colours are neighbours on the colour wheel (within 30 degrees) and create harmonious, low-contrast combinations. Complementary colours are opposites and create high-contrast, vibrant pairings. Analogous schemes feel calm and unified, while complementary schemes feel dynamic and energetic.