Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange. They make each other look more vivid.
Also called complementary color, complements, complementary
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the wheel: blue and orange, red and green, purple and yellow. Side by side, each makes the other look brighter.
That punch is great for calls to action, like an orange #FF9B23 button on a blue #2387FF page, but use one as the main color and the other as an accent.
Guides that cover Complementary colors
- Harmony What Is Color Harmony? Color harmony explained: complementary, analogous, triadic and other harmonies, and how balanced color relationships make a design feel right. Read on.
- Color Wheel Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors Explained Primary, secondary and tertiary colors explained across RYB, RGB and CMYK, with how each one is mixed on the color wheel. Learn the basics in 5 minutes.
- Tints & Shades Tints, Shades, and Tones Tint, shade and tone explained: see how adding white, black or gray changes a base color, and how to use each to build richer palettes. Read the quick guide.