Color Combinations That Always Work
Seven battle-tested color harmonies - complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, split, square, and monochromatic - with examples.
1. Complementary
Two colors directly opposite on the wheel - red and cyan, blue and orange. Maximum contrast, maximum energy. Use sparingly: 80/20 is a safe ratio.
2. Analogous
Three neighbors on the wheel. Calming and harmonious - perfect for nature scenes, wellness brands, and gradient backgrounds.
3. Triadic
Three colors evenly spaced 120° apart. Vibrant but balanced; favorite of vintage poster designers.
4. Tetradic / Rectangle
Two complementary pairs. Rich and varied, but tricky - pick a clear dominant color and let the others support.
5. Split-Complementary
A base color plus the two neighbors of its complement. Easier to balance than full complementary.
6. Square
Four colors evenly spaced 90° apart. Bold and busy - best with strong neutrals to anchor it.
7. Monochromatic
One hue, multiple tints, shades, and tones. Always elegant. The default mode of luxury brands.
Generate any of these from a single base color in our Color Wheel.