Interactive Color Mixing Chart & Tool
Mix and blend multiple colors together interactively using different mathematical color models.
Color Mixing Chart & Models
Explore how colors combine in light (RGB), print (CMY), and traditional art (RYB).
RGB Color Model
An additive color mixing model for screens. Adding all creates white.
RYB Color Model
A historical subtractive color mixing model for painters.
CMY/CMYK Color Model
A modern subtractive color mixing model for printing ink.
HSV / HSB Color Model
Hue, Saturation, Value. Models human color perception.
COLOR WHEEL
PRIMARY COLORS
SECONDARY COLORS
TERTIARY COLORS
COLOR TRIANGLE
HOVER OVER A COLOR
COLOR TERMINOLOGY
Tints, Shades & Tones
Whenever a colour is "diluted" by mixing white or black into it, the colour loses saturation.
A Tint
Addition of opaque White to a colour. Everything between white and red is a tint.
A Shade
Black (or complimentary colour) is added to make the colour go darker. Everything between red and black is a shade.
A Tone
When grey is added to a colour we get tones of that colour. Everything between red and grey is a tone.
Tip for the lightest tint: If you want to make the lightest tint of a colour, you should consider starting with the White paint first and add the smallest dot of the colour. You will be surprised how little is needed to colour the white.
Color Mixing Guide & Essential Terminology
- 1. Chroma: How pure a hue is in relation to grey.
- 2. Saturation: The degree of purity of a hue.
- 3. Intensity: The brightness or dullness of a hue.
- 4. Luminance: A measure of the amount of light reflected from a hue.
- 5. Shade: A hue produced by the addition of black.
- 6. Tint: A hue produced by the addition of white.
- 7. Tone: A hue produced by the addition of grey.
- 8. Hue: A pure color without tint or shade (e.g. red, yellow, blue).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about color mixing and creating new hues.
What colors make brown?
Brown is a composite color made by combining all three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) together. Alternatively, you can mix complementary colors (like blue and orange, red and green, or yellow and purple) to easily create a rich, muddy brown.
Mixing red and blue makes what color?
When you mix the primary colors red and blue together, you get the secondary color purple (or violet). The exact shade depends on the ratio—more red creates a warmer magenta or maroon, while more blue creates a cooler indigo.
What is the difference between additive color mixing and subtractive color mixing?
Additive color mixing (RGB) happens with light, like on digital screens. Mixing all colors creates white. Subtractive color mixing (CMYK/RYB) happens with physical pigments, like paint or ink. Mixing all colors absorbs light and creates black or dark brown.
What color does red and green make?
In subtractive color mixing (like paint), mixing red and green creates brown. In additive color mixing (like digital screens and light), combining red and green light creates yellow.
Is there a definitive color mixing chart?
Instead of a static image, our interactive tool acts as a dynamic color mixing chart, allowing you to instantly preview exact digital combinations of Hex, RGB, and HSL values.
How can I use this color mixing guide?
Use this color mixing guide to explore how light (RGB) and pigment (CMY/RYB) blend together in professional design, from digital screens to print media.
What colors make red?
In traditional art and subtractive color mixing (RYB), red is a primary color, which means it cannot be created by mixing other colors together. However, in digital CMYK printing, mixing magenta and yellow creates red.
What are the primary colors?
It depends on the color model. In traditional art (pigments), the primary colors are Red, Yellow, and Blue (RYB). On digital screens (light), they are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). In modern printing, they are Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow (CMY).
What colors can dogs see?
Dogs are not completely color blind, but they have dichromatic vision. They mainly see the world in shades of blue and yellow. Colors like red and green appear as varying shades of gray or brown to them.
What colors can cats see?
Similar to dogs, cats are dichromatic. They are best at distinguishing between shades of blue and yellow-green. Reds and pinks may appear more like green, while purple may look like another shade of blue.
How many colors are in the rainbow?
A traditional rainbow is described as having seven distinct colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet (often remembered by the acronym ROYGBIV). However, physically, a rainbow contains a continuous spectrum of millions of colors.