Split-Complementary Palette
The complement split into two neighbors for softer contrast
Generated Palette
Live Preview
Button Styles
Premium Plan
$29/month
- ✓ Unlimited projects
- ✓ Priority support
- ✓ Advanced analytics
Amazing Feature
Your color palette creates a cohesive visual hierarchy across all components.
Special Offer!
Get 20% off your first month with code HARMONY20
What are Split-Complementary Colors?
Split-complementary takes your base color and pairs it not with its direct opposite, but with the two colors adjacent to that opposite. The result is contrast with less tension—vibrant but more forgiving than pure complementary schemes.
If your base is blue (hue 220), skip red-orange (hue 40) and instead use orange (30) and yellow-orange (50). You get complementary energy without the face-off intensity.
Why Use Split-Complementary Palettes?
Split-complementary offers a middle ground: more visual interest than analogous, less demanding than complementary. It's easier to balance because contrast is distributed across two accent colors rather than concentrated in one.
For beginners, split-complementary provides safety rails. Even unrefined applications look decent because the mathematical relationship is inherently forgiving.
How It Works
Find your base color's complement, then move 30° each direction:
Base: hsl(220, 70%, 50%) — Blue Complement would be: hsl(40, 70%, 50%) — Orange Split 1: hsl(20, 70%, 50%) — Red-Orange Split 2: hsl(60, 70%, 50%) — Yellow
Use the base as dominant, splits as accents. The two accent colors work together against the base without the direct opposition of true complements.
Best Use Cases
- Websites needing vibrancy with restraint
- Product packaging design
- Presentation and slide decks
- Brand identities seeking distinctiveness
Pro Tip
Both split colors work as accent—use whichever fits the emotional context (warmer or cooler) for specific UI elements.
Other Color Harmonies
Related Design Tools
Explore more free tools to enhance your design workflow