Split-Complementary Colour Generator
Enter any colour and find its split-complementary pair — the two colours on either side of its direct opposite — for strong contrast with a little more flexibility than a straight complementary pairing.
Choose a Base Colour
Base and Split-Complementary Colours
Base
#4A7C59
+150°
#724A7C
+210°
#7C4A54
How to Use the Split-Complementary Colour Generator
Enter a HEX colour code, or use the Random Colour button, and the tool calculates a split-complementary pair — two colours sitting 150 and 210 degrees around the colour wheel from your original, on either side of its direct complement.
How the Maths Works
The tool converts your colour to Hue, Saturation and Lightness, then rotates the hue by +150 and +210 degrees while keeping saturation and lightness unchanged, before converting each result back to HEX. These two angles sit 30 degrees either side of the straight complement at 180 degrees.
Using Split-Complementary Colours in Your Artwork
A split-complementary scheme keeps much of the strong contrast of a complementary pairing but is often considered a little easier to balance, since you have two supporting colours instead of one that is a completely opposite hue. It works well when your base colour dominates the composition and the two split-complementary colours are used as smaller accents.
Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a split-complementary colour scheme?
A split-complementary scheme uses a base colour plus the two colours on either side of its direct complement on the colour wheel, at 150 and 210 degrees.
How does this tool calculate split-complementary colours?
It converts your colour to Hue, Saturation and Lightness, rotates the hue by +150 and +210 degrees while keeping saturation and lightness unchanged, and converts each result back to a HEX code.
How is this different from a straight complementary colour?
A straight complementary colour sits exactly 180 degrees away (directly opposite). Split-complementary uses two colours 30 degrees either side of that point instead of the single opposite colour.
Why choose split-complementary over complementary?
Split-complementary keeps strong contrast but is often easier to balance in a composition, since you have two supporting colours to work with rather than one strongly opposite hue.
How many colours does the tool show?
Three: your base colour, plus its two split-complementary partners at +150 and +210 degrees.
Can I use this for mixing paint?
The tool works with digital HSL colour approximations. Real paints and pigments mix differently to light, so always test a physical swatch before committing to a final artwork.
Does the tool save or store my colours?
No. All calculations happen in your browser and nothing is saved or sent to a server.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, the Split-Complementary Colour Generator is completely free to use, with no account, sign-up or download required.
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