What are the complementary colors? Examples, color theory, and more

Understanding complementary colors

The color wheel illustrates colors that complement each other. When placed next to each other, complementary colors create a high level of contrast, which is why they’re sometimes referred to as opposite colors in color theory. Another explanation for this name is that complementary colors are located on opposite ends of a color wheel, whether you’re using an RBG or RYB color wheel.

Why do complementary colors look good together?

When used together as part of a design, complementary color combinations look especially pleasing to the eye. This is because of how the human eye functions. Inside your eye’s retina, there are receptors called cones that respond to different colors of light and allow you to see in color.

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

Learn more

How your brain processes complementary colors

If you stare at one color for a prolonged period, the cones in your eye that process blue light will become fatigued, weakening the signal they send to your brain. When you look away from that color and fix your eyes on a white wall or piece of paper, you’ll see an afterimage in an opposite, or complementary, color. What you’re seeing is the white spectrum of light from the wall, but cone fatigue is making it difficult for your eyes to process the light from the color you were originally looking at, so the afterimage will appear as the opposite color on a color wheel.

Complementary colors look especially dynamic together because they play up each other’s intensity while appearing balanced since they equally stimulate different parts of the eye. It’s a natural illusion that adds energy and draws the eye.

Complementary color examples

In the traditional red, yellow, blue color wheel, the list of complementary color combinations includes:

• red and green
• yellow and purple
• blue and orange
• red-orange and blue-green
• yellow-orange and blue-violet
• yellow-green and red-violet

Whether you’re searching for the right throw pillows to go with your couch or choosing an outfit for a special occasion, complementary color combinations help you pick colors that look good together.

Complementary color combinations for web design

If you’re a web designer working with a red, green, blue color wheel, the complementary colors are:

• red and cyan
• green and magenta
• blue and yellow
• orange and azure
• chartreuse green and violet
• spring green and rose

From prepping a compelling digital presentation to choosing a background for your next fave selfie, make what you create easy on the eyes with your knowledge of complementary colors.