Skip to content

Complementary color finder

Complementary, split and triadic partners for any color.

Free · US units with metric · Results show formulas and assumptions · Planning estimate, not professional advice.

Loading tool…

How to use the complementary color finder

Find coordinated color partners from one hex color. This tool shows the complementary, split-complementary, and triadic options for paint, accents, furniture, and decor planning.

  1. Enter a base color as a 3- or 6-digit hex value.
  2. Include or omit the leading #.
  3. Run the finder to generate the color partners.
  4. Compare the swatches and use the groups to plan accents or supporting colors.

What to enter

Base colour (hex)
Enter a 3- or 6-digit hex color, such as #9caf88 or #fff. The leading # is optional.

Example: Find partners for red

Enter #ff0000 as the base color. The complementary partner rotates the hue by 180° and produces #00ffff. The split-complementary partners rotate the hue by +150° and −150°, producing #00ff80 and #0080ff. The triadic partners rotate the hue by +120° and −120°, producing #00ff00 and #0000ff.

How the color groups are calculated

The tool normalizes the input to lowercase #rrggbb format. It then rotates the base color's HSL hue while preserving its saturation and lightness. The complementary group uses a 180° rotation. The split-complementary group uses rotations of +150° and −150°. The triadic group uses rotations of +120° and −120°. The generated values are returned as lowercase hex colors.

Reading the results

The base color is shown with three partner groups. Use the complementary color for the strongest opposite-hue contrast. Use the two split-complementary colors for a less direct three-color relationship. Use the triadic colors when you want three hues spaced around the color wheel. Treat the results as color-planning guidance because screen colors can differ from paint or materials under room lighting.

Limitations and common mistakes

  • The tool accepts hex colors only. It does not read paint names, RGB values, or color photos.
  • Hue rotation keeps the base color's saturation and lightness, so the generated colors may still be too bright, dark, or saturated for a particular room.
  • The tool does not account for lighting, sheen, surrounding materials, or how a color looks on a full-size wall.
  • A 3-digit hex value is expanded to its equivalent 6-digit form before the results are generated.

Frequently asked questions

What is a complementary color?

It is the color found by rotating a base hue 180°. The tool displays that opposite-hue partner as the complementary option.

What is a split-complementary color scheme?

It uses the two hues 150° and −150° from the base hue. This gives two related partners instead of one direct opposite.

What are triadic colors?

Triadic colors are three hues spaced by 120°. The tool keeps the base color and generates partners at +120° and −120°.

Can I enter a hex color without the # symbol?

Yes. The input accepts either a 3- or 6-digit hex value with or without the leading #, such as #abc or abc.

Does this tool use paint-brand colors?

No. It works with hex colors and returns generic digital color values. Test a physical paint sample before choosing a final finish.

Related tools

Related reading