Complementary Colour Calculator
Find the complementary, split-complementary and triadic colours for any hue on the colour wheel.
How We Calculate This
This calculator finds colour relationships from a base hue on the artist’s 360° RYB (red-yellow-blue) colour wheel — the pigment-mixing wheel, not the digital RGB screen wheel. The three primaries sit 120° apart (Red 0°, Yellow 120°, Blue 240°), the secondaries between them (Orange 60°, Green 180°, Violet 300°), so the complement of red is green and the red triad is the primary trio red, yellow and blue.
Formulas
- Complementary: Base hue + 180°
- Split-complementary 1: Base hue + 150°
- Split-complementary 2: Base hue + 210°
- Triadic 1: Base hue + 120°
- Triadic 2: Base hue + 240°
The optional hue offset nudges the base hue a few degrees before the harmonies are found, so you can centre the scheme on the exact paint you mix rather than a textbook primary. Results wrap around the wheel (values stay between 0° and 359°).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.