Interactive Color Wheel
Explore color relationships, learn color theory, and discover perfect harmonies for your design projects
Choose Color Harmony Type
Interactive Color Wheel
Drag to select colors • Harmony markers update in real-time
Your Color Palette
What is a Color Wheel?
A color wheel is a circular diagram that shows the relationships between colors. It's one of the most important tools in design, helping you understand how colors work together and create harmonious combinations.
The traditional color wheel contains 12 main colors: 3 primary colors, 3 secondary colors, and 6 tertiary colors. Understanding these relationships is fundamental to creating effective color schemes for any design project.
Color Categories
Primary Colors
The foundation of all colors. Cannot be created by mixing other colors.
Secondary Colors
Created by mixing two primary colors together in equal amounts.
Tertiary Colors
Mix of primary and adjacent secondary colors. More nuanced hues.
Understanding Color Harmonies
Color harmonies are tried-and-true formulas for combining colors based on their positions on the color wheel. Each harmony creates a different mood and visual effect.
Complementary Colors
Colors that sit directly opposite each other on the wheel (180° apart). This creates the highest contrast and visual tension, making designs pop and command attention.
Analogous Colors
Colors that are adjacent to each other on the wheel (typically within 30-60°). Creates serene, comfortable designs that naturally flow together.
Triadic Colors
Three colors equally spaced around the wheel (120° apart). Offers vibrant schemes with visual balance and energy without being as intense as complementary.
Monochromatic Colors
Variations of a single hue using different shades, tints, and tones. Creates sophisticated, cohesive designs with elegant simplicity and visual unity.
Tetradic Colors
Four colors arranged in two complementary pairs forming a rectangle (90° apart). Offers rich variety with balanced contrast.
Split Complementary
A base color plus two colors adjacent to its complement. Provides strong visual contrast with more nuance than straight complementary.
How to Use the Color Wheel
Choose Your Base Color
Start by selecting a color that resonates with your brand or project theme. This will be your primary color.
Select a Harmony Type
Choose the type of relationship you want - complementary for contrast, analogous for calm, or triadic for balance.
Refine and Adjust
Use the generated palette as a starting point. Adjust lightness and saturation to match your needs.
Test Accessibility
Always check contrast ratios for text readability. Use our contrast checker tool.
Apply to Your Design
Copy the hex codes and implement in your CSS, design tools, or generate full palettes with our AI tool.
Save Your Favorites
Found the perfect combination? Save it to your collection for future projects.
Color Theory Tips for Designers
✨ 60-30-10 Rule
Use 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color, and 10% accent color for balanced designs.
🎨 Warm vs Cool
Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) advance and energize. Cool colors (blue, green, purple) recede and calm.
🌈 Start Simple
Begin with 2-3 colors and expand. More colors doesn't mean better - focus on harmony over quantity.
💡 Context Matters
Colors look different based on their surroundings. Test your palette in actual designs, not just in isolation.
🎯 Cultural Awareness
Colors have different meanings across cultures. Red means luck in China, danger in the West.
♿ Accessibility First
Ensure sufficient contrast (4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for UI). Consider colorblind users - don't rely on color alone.
Ready to Create?
Use your new color theory knowledge to generate stunning palettes with ColorBrew's AI tools