Colour Wheel Calculator

- May 22, 2025
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Explore colour relationships, create harmonious colour schemes, and generate colour palettes using colour theory principles.

Colour Selection

Colour Wheel

Advanced Options

About Colour Theory

Colour theory is a set of principles used to create harmonious colour combinations. The colour wheel is a visual representation of colours arranged according to their chromatic relationship.

Colour Harmonies
  • Complementary: Colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel. They create a high-contrast, vibrant look.
  • Analogous: Colours adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. They create a cohesive, harmonious look.
  • Triadic: Three colours equally spaced around the colour wheel. They create a balanced, vibrant look.
  • Tetradic (Rectangle): Four colours arranged in two complementary pairs. They offer rich, varied colour schemes.
  • Split Complementary: A base colour plus the two colours adjacent to its complement. Less tension than complementary schemes.
  • Monochromatic: Different shades, tones, and tints of a single hue. Creates a cohesive, sophisticated look.
Colour Models
  • RGB (Red, Green, Blue): Additive colour model used for digital displays.
  • HEX: Hexadecimal notation used in web design and CSS (#RRGGBB).
  • HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness): Intuitive model with hue (0-360°), saturation (0-100%), and lightness (0-100%).
Practical Applications
  • Web Design: Creating aesthetically pleasing websites with consistent colour schemes.
  • Graphic Design: Developing brand identities, marketing materials, and visual content.
  • Interior Design: Selecting paint colours, furnishings, and décor that work well together.
  • Fashion: Coordinating clothing and accessories with complementary or harmonious colours.
  • Art: Understanding colour relationships for painting, drawing, and other visual arts.

Understanding the Color Wheel Calculator

The Color Wheel Calculator is a handy tool for anyone interested in colour theory. It helps users create appealing colour schemes by exploring different relationships on the colour wheel. By selecting a base colour and harmony type, users can generate palettes that work well together. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a graphic designer, artist, or even just someone looking to spruce up their home decor.

How to Use the Colour Selection Options

The calculator offers various methods for colour input. You can choose from a colour picker, hex code, RGB values, or HSL values. This flexibility allows you to work with the method that suits you best. Once you’ve chosen your colour, you can also pick a harmony type:

  • Complementary
  • Analogous
  • Triadic
  • Tetradic
  • Split Complementary
  • Monochromatic

Creating Your Colour Palette

After selecting your base colour and harmony type, the calculator generates a colour palette for you. The colour wheel displays your choices visually. You can use the built-in controls to adjust the hue as needed. This interactive feature makes it easy to see how different colours relate to one another in real-time.

Exploring Advanced Options

For those who want to dive deeper, the Colour Wheel Calculator offers advanced options. You can choose the number of colour variations you want, whether it's three, five, or seven shades. Additionally, you can decide how to vary these shades—by lightness, saturation, or both. This level of customisation helps create unique and tailored colour schemes.

Viewing Your Results

Once you generate a colour scheme, you'll see the results displayed clearly. The calculator shows the selected colours along with their details. You can also choose to see the CSS code for the colour variables. This feature is perfect for web designers looking to implement their colour schemes in projects.

Getting to Know Colour Theory

Colour theory is essential for making effective colour combinations. The calculator helps users understand various colour harmonies, allowing for more informed choices. Here are some key concepts you’ll find helpful:

  • Complementary: Opposite colours for high contrast.
  • Analogous: Next to each Other for a harmonious look.
  • Monochromatic: Variations of a single colour for cohesion.

Practical Applications of Colour Schemes

The Colour Wheel Calculator isn’t just for fun; it has real-world applications. Whether you’re designing a website, creating marketing materials, or choosing colours for your home, a good colour scheme can make a big difference. By using this tool, you can ensure your colours match and complement each other.

Final Thoughts on the Colour Wheel Calculator

In summary, the Colour Wheel Calculator is a great resource for anyone wanting to work with colours more effectively. It’s user-friendly and packed with features that can help you create stunning colour combinations. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, this tool can enhance your colour knowledge and help you achieve your design goals.