Color Harmony Generator
Choose a base color and instantly generate complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, square and split-complementary harmonies — with the color wheel and role labels.
What is color harmony?
Color harmony describes relationships between colors on the color wheel that are traditionally considered pleasing together. Because these relationships are geometric, they can be described by angles. Understanding them helps you create palettes that feel intentional rather than random.
The seven classical harmonies
| Harmony | Angles | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Complementary | 0° + 180° | Maximum hue contrast, bold |
| Analogous | −30° · 0° · +30° | Calm, cohesive, natural |
| Triadic | 0° · 120° · 240° | Vibrant, balanced |
| Tetradic | 0° · 60° · 180° · 240° | Rich, needs discipline |
| Square | 0° · 90° · 180° · 270° | Energetic, category-friendly |
| Split-complementary | 0° · 150° · 210° | Strong but nuanced |
| Monochromatic | 0° (varied lightness) | Elegant, minimal |
Using harmony in UI design
- Pick one dominant color and use harmony colors as accents, not equals.
- Combine analogous neutrals with a complementary accent for a clean, professional look.
- Check contrast between every pair you actually place together — harmony does not guarantee readability.
- Use the color wheel preview to verify the harmony visually rather than only trusting the hex codes.
Frequently asked questions
Is harmony the same as a palette?
No. A harmony is a set of relationships derived from a base color. A palette is any set of colors used together, which may or may not follow a strict harmony. Most real design systems mix multiple harmonies across neutrals, brand and semantic colors.
Do I have to use pure harmony angles?
No. Harmony is a starting point. Deviating by 5–15° is common and often produces a more distinctive palette while keeping the overall relationship intact.
Which harmony is most common in brands?
Split-complementary and analogous palettes are the most common in professional branding because they balance interest with restraint. Complementary pairs appear more often in sports, food and consumer brands that want high visual impact.
Does the harmony tool work offline?
Yes. All harmony math is computed locally in your browser — no server call is made.