Split-complementary Color Palette Generator
Your colour, plus the two hues either side of its opposite: contrast without the clash.
Nothing saved yet. Saved palettes stay in this browser, on this device.
Split-complementary palettes from three colours
Indigo #6366f1
#6366f1 · #f2a864 · #adf264
Rose #e11d48
#e11d48 · #1de255 · #1daae2
Emerald #059669
#059669 · #94057a · #941f05
Other colour harmonies
Splitting the complement
A split-complementary scheme starts like a complementary one, then replaces the opposite hue with its two neighbours. This generator places them 150° and 210° from your base, 30° either side of the true complement. On the wheel the three points make a tall, narrow Y.
You keep most of the complementary contrast, since both partners still sit on the far side of the wheel, but no single colour fights the base head-on.
When to use it
Split-complementary is the usual advice for people who want strong contrast but find a complementary pair too loud. It suits a design where the base colour is the brand and two related accents carry the highlights: a blue site with a coral button and an amber notice, for example.
The two partners are close to each other, so they read as a family. That makes the scheme more forgiving than a triad when you are new to colour. Extra swatches add hues 15° and 30° either side of each of the three anchors.
Everything here runs in your browser. The colour palette generator has all six harmonies on one page, and the mode buttons above switch this one too, so you can compare a split-complementary palette with the others from the same base colour.
What angles make a split-complementary scheme?
The base, plus hues 150° and 210° round the wheel from it: 30° either side of its direct opposite at 180°.
Why use split-complementary instead of complementary?
It keeps strong contrast but softens it, because the base faces two neighbouring hues instead of one exact opposite. The result is easier to balance.
How many colours are in a split-complementary palette?
Three by default: the base and its two flanking hues. You can ask for up to 10, and the extras go round the same three hues again.