Complementary Color Finder
Find the opposite color on the hue wheel and preview the pair.
Find the opposite color
Complementary colors sit directly across the wheel from each other and create maximum contrast — useful for a call-to-action that has to pop against your brand color, or a bold accent. This finder returns the exact complement of any color and previews the pair.
Seeing the two together tells you instantly whether the combination is striking or jarring, since true complements can be intense. Use it as a starting point for accent colors, then soften or shift as needed. Copy either hex to use it.
Using complements well
True complements are intense, so they work best as an accent against a dominant color rather than in equal amounts. The complement is calculated locally and nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
What does the complementary color finder do?
It calculates the hue opposite of your selected color and previews both swatches side by side.
How is the complementary color calculated?
The base color is converted to HSL and its hue is rotated 180 degrees, keeping saturation and lightness the same, then converted back to hex.
Why does the complement of a gray look identical?
Grays have no saturation, so rotating the hue changes nothing. Complements only make sense for colors with visible hue.
How should I use a complementary pair?
Complements create strong contrast, so use one as the dominant color and the other sparingly for accents like buttons or highlights. Check text contrast separately, since hue contrast does not guarantee readability.
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