Explore color theory and create harmonious color schemes with our interactive color wheel. Find complementary, analogous, triadic colors and more. Get HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK color codes for your design projects. Export your palettes as JSON, PDF, CSS, Tailwind, or SCSS for seamless integration with your workflow. No Signup Required.
The modern color wheel was invented by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 when he passed sunlight through a prism, but it wasn't until 1876 when painter Albert Munsell created the first three-dimensional color model that systematically mapped color relationships. Interestingly, different cultures perceive color wheels differently—Japanese traditional color theory arranges colors in a non-circular system based on seasonal associations, while ancient Chinese color theory was based on the five elements. The Bauhaus school revolutionized color theory education in the 1920s, with Johannes Itten developing exercises where students created up to 1,000 color swatches by hand to train their perception.
While RGB is the standard for digital displays, it's actually a poor model for creating harmonious color schemes because it doesn't align with human perception. The RGB color wheel is fundamentally different from the traditional RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) wheel used by artists for centuries. Digital color wheels typically use mathematical transformations between color spaces—converting from perceptual HSL to technical RGB values. Most design software uses the CIE LAB color space internally because it's perceptually uniform, meaning the numerical distance between colors corresponds to perceived differences. This is why colors that appear equidistant on a properly designed color wheel may have dramatically different RGB value patterns.
A color wheel is a circular diagram that shows the relationships between colors. It organizes colors in a way that helps visualize color harmonies, complementary colors, and other color relationships based on color theory principles.
A color wheel helps you create harmonious color schemes by showing relationships between colors. You can use it to find complementary colors (opposite on the wheel), analogous colors (adjacent on the wheel), triadic colors (evenly spaced around the wheel), and other color harmonies for your design projects.
Complementary colors are pairs of colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel. When placed side by side, they create maximum contrast and make each other appear more vibrant. Common examples include red and green, blue and orange, or purple and yellow.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive color model used for digital displays, where colors are created by combining different intensities of red, green, and blue light. HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is a more intuitive model that separates color (hue) from its intensity properties, making it easier for humans to understand and manipulate colors.
A monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single hue. On our color wheel tool, select a base color, then use the saturation and lightness controls to create variations of that same color for a harmonious, unified look.
Yes, we take data security seriously. This tool processes everything entirely in your browser - no data is sent to our servers. This ensures complete privacy and security while you work with colors.
Yes, you can save color schemes created with our color wheel. The tool allows you to copy color codes to your clipboard or download a palette file for use in design software.
Our color wheel tool offers multiple export formats to fit your workflow. You can export your color palettes as JSON for developers, PDF for presentations or printing, and in various code formats including CSS variables, Tailwind CSS config, and SCSS variables. This makes it easy to implement your color schemes directly in your projects regardless of your tech stack.
After creating your color palette, click the export button and choose your preferred format. For web developers, we offer CSS variables export for standard web projects, Tailwind CSS configuration for Tailwind projects, and SCSS variables for Sass workflows. Each export includes properly formatted code that you can copy directly into your project files.
HEX (hexadecimal) color codes are six-digit codes preceded by a # symbol that represent colors in web design and digital media. Each HEX code defines a specific color by combining red, green, and blue values (e.g., #FF0000 for pure red). HEX codes are widely used in CSS, HTML, and design software.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive color model where colors are created by combining different intensities of red, green, and blue light. Each component ranges from 0 to 255, with rgb(255,0,0) representing pure red. RGB is primarily used for digital displays, websites, and screen-based design.
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is a color model that represents colors in a more intuitive way. Hue is the color type (0-360°), saturation is the intensity (0-100%), and lightness controls brightness (0-100%). HSL makes it easier to create variations of a color by adjusting saturation and lightness while keeping the same hue.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is a subtractive color model used primarily in printing. Unlike RGB which adds light, CMYK works by subtracting light through ink combinations. Each component ranges from 0-100%, with higher percentages creating darker colors. CMYK is essential for preparing designs for professional printing.
Our color wheel tool automatically converts between HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK formats. Simply select your color on the wheel or input a code in any format, and the tool will display the equivalent values in all other formats. This makes it easy to use the right color format for your specific design needs.
Color wheels help create several harmonious color schemes: Complementary (maximum contrast using opposite colors), Triadic (vibrant yet balanced using triangular formation), Analogous (harmonious effect with adjacent colors), Split-complementary (high-contrast with less tension using a base color and two adjacent to its complement), Square (diverse palette with four evenly spaced colors), and Monochromatic (subtle transitions using tints and shades of a single color).
A complementary color scheme uses colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel. This arrangement creates maximum contrast and visual vibrance. Examples include red and green, blue and orange, or purple and yellow. Complementary colors make each other appear more intense when placed side by side and are excellent for creating focal points in design.
A triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel, forming a triangle. This arrangement creates a vibrant yet balanced look with rich visual contrast while maintaining harmony. Examples include red, blue, and yellow, or purple, green, and orange. Triadic schemes offer more variety than complementary schemes while still providing visual cohesion.
An analogous color scheme uses colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. This creates a harmonious, cohesive look with low contrast. Examples include yellow, yellow-green, and green, or blue, blue-violet, and violet. Analogous schemes are found abundantly in nature and create serene, comfortable designs when used together.
A split-complementary scheme uses a base color plus the two colors adjacent to its complement on the color wheel. This creates high visual interest and contrast with less tension than a complementary scheme. For example, if your base color is blue, you would use yellow-orange and red-orange (the colors adjacent to blue's complement, orange).
A square color scheme uses four colors evenly spaced around the color wheel (at 90° intervals), forming a square. This arrangement enhances diversity while maintaining balance. A square color scheme might include red, yellow-green, blue, and red-violet. This scheme offers maximum color variety while still providing a structured, harmonious relationship between colors.
A monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single hue. It harnesses the power of tints (adding white), shades (adding black), and tones (adding gray) to create subtle transitions and striking contrasts based on a single base color. This scheme creates a cohesive, sophisticated look that's easy to manage in design projects.