What Are Split Complementary Colors and How Are They Used?
Choosing colors that work well together can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle. Looking at a color wheel filled with countless options often leaves many designers scratching their heads, unsure which combinations will create that perfect visual harmony.
Split complementary colors offer a simple solution to this common color challenge.
I understand how finding the right color mix can transform an ordinary design into something truly special.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how split complementary colors work and provide practical ways to use them in your projects.
You’ll learn to identify these color combinations, apply them effectively, and create visually striking designs that grab attention without overwhelming viewers.
This post covers split complementary colors, how to find them on the color wheel, and practical applications that will help improve your design skills immediately.
What Are Split Complementary Colors?
Split complementary colors are a variation of the complementary color scheme that creates less tension while maintaining strong visual contrast.
Instead of using two directly opposite colors on the color wheel (complementary colors), a split complementary scheme uses a base color plus the two colors adjacent to its complement.
Think of it this way: select your main color, look directly across the color wheel to find its complement, and then, instead of using that complement, use the two colors on either side of it.
This gives you a three-color palette with rich visual interest and balanced tension.
For example, if your base color is blue:
- Blue’s complement is orange
- The split complementary colors would be yellow-orange and red-orange
This approach offers more nuance and flexibility than a standard complementary scheme while providing enough contrast to make elements pop.
Understanding the Color Theory Behind Split Complementary Colors
Color theory provides the foundation for effective design decisions. Split complementary colors follow specific patterns that, once understood, become a reliable tool in any designer’s toolkit.
Breaking Down the Color Wheel
The standard color wheel consists of 12 colors arranged in a circle.
Primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—form the foundation of all other colors. Mixing different colors does not create these three hues.
Secondary colors emerge when you mix two primary colors in equal amounts. Orange (red + yellow), green (yellow + blue), and purple (blue + red) complete this second tier of the color wheel.
Tertiary colors form when a primary color mixes with an adjacent secondary color. These include red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple. These six colors fill in the gaps between primaries and secondaries.
Split complementary combinations pull from across this spectrum.
For instance, a yellow base paired with blue-purple and red-purple creates a split complementary scheme. Another common example uses red with blue-green and yellow-green for striking contrast.
Common Split Complementary Examples
Some split complementary combinations appear frequently in design due to their pleasing visual qualities:
- Blue with red-orange and yellow-orange creates a balanced scheme with one cool and two warm colors
- Green with red-purple and red-orange offers natural tension reminiscent of floral arrangements
- Purple with yellow-green and yellow-orange provides dramatic contrast that remains harmonious
These combinations work because they maintain visual interest while avoiding the sometimes harsh effect of direct complementary pairs.
Split Complementary Colors in Different Design Fields
The versatility of split complementary colors makes them useful across various design disciplines:
1. Web Design
In web design, split complementary colors can:
- Create clear visual hierarchies between content sections
- Guide users through conversion funnels with strategic color placement
- Make call-to-action buttons stand out without clashing with the overall design
2. Interior Design
Interior designers use split complementary colors to:
- Create focal points in rooms
- Balance energy and calm in living spaces
- Connect different rooms through cohesive color stories
3. Graphic Design
Graphic designers leverage split complementary colors for:
- Creating eye-catching marketing materials
- Establishing brand recognition through consistent color use
- Enhancing readability by using appropriate contrast
4. Fashion
In fashion, split complementary colors help:
- Create memorable outfits with balanced visual interest
- Express personality through color combinations
- Stay on-trend while maintaining uniqueness
How to Create a Split Complementary Color Scheme
Creating an effective split complementary color scheme requires a thoughtful approach. Following these steps, you can develop color combinations that enhance your design projects.
Step 1: Choosing a Base Color
The base color is the foundation of any split complementary scheme. This primary hue will dominate your design and set the overall tone.
When selecting a base color, consider what best represents your project’s purpose.
Blue conveys trust and stability, making it ideal for professional services. Red communicates energy and passion, which is perfect for brands that want to stimulate action.
Yellow suggests optimism and clarity, which is useful for educational or creative contexts.
Consider your target audience when choosing this color. Younger audiences often respond to brighter, more saturated colors, while more mature audiences may prefer subdued tones.
The setting where your design will appear also matters—colors look different in digital and print formats.
Step 2: Identifying the Split Complements
Once you’ve selected your base color, finding its split complements is straightforward with the right tools.
The simplest method is to use a traditional color wheel. Locate your base color, then look directly across to find its complement. Instead of using that direct complement, select the two colors on either side of it.
These three colors—your base and the two adjacent to its complement—form your split complementary scheme.
Digital tools make this process even easier. Adobe Color allows you to select your base color and automatically calculates the split complements. Coolors.co offers similar functionality with a user-friendly interface.
Figma has built-in color tools that help designers quickly apply these relationships.
For those who prefer mathematical precision, you can calculate split complements by adjusting the hue value.
If your base color has a hue of 180 degrees, its split complements would be at approximately 30 degrees and 330 degrees (180 ± 150).
Step 3: Balancing the Colors in Design
How you distribute colors throughout your design significantly impacts their perception.
The 60-30-10 rule provides a reliable framework for color balance. Use your base color for about 60% of the design—typically backgrounds and large elements.
Apply one split complement to roughly 30% of the design for secondary elements. Reserve the final split complement for about 10% of the design as an accent for buttons, highlights, or small details.
Beyond proportion, adjusting color properties helps create more nuanced schemes. Reducing saturation (color intensity) can make bold combinations more subtle.
Modifying brightness creates depth—lighter tints for spacious feels and darker shades for cozy or serious moods.
When finalizing your split complementary scheme, test it in context. Colors interact differently depending on their surroundings.
View your design on various screens and, if applicable, print samples to ensure the colors work as intended across all media.
10 Beautiful Split Complementary Color Combinations
To inspire your next project, here are ten stunning split complementary color palettes:
- Violet (base) + Yellow-Green + Yellow-Orange
Elegant and sophisticated, perfect for luxury brands - Red (base) + Blue-Green + Yellow-Green
Energetic yet balanced, ideal for sports and activity brands - Blue (base) + Red-Orange + Yellow-Orange
Trustworthy with warm accents, great for financial services - Yellow (base) + Blue-Violet + Red-Violet
Bright and creative, perfect for children’s products or creative services - Green (base) + Red-Violet + Red-Orange
Natural with bold accents, it works well for health and wellness brands - Orange (base) + Blue-Violet + Blue-Green
Vibrant and refreshing, ideal for food and beverage companies - Blue-Green (base) + Red + Orange
Calming with energetic accents, good for healthcare or education - Yellow-Green (base) + Red + Violet
Fresh and dynamic, perfect for technology or innovation brands - Red-Orange (base) + Blue + Green
Bold and balanced, it works well for retail or entertainment - Blue-Violet (base) + Yellow + Orange
Dreamy yet grounded, ideal for spirituality or mindfulness brands
Conclusion
Split complementary colors offer a beautiful balance of harmony and contrast that can elevate your designs from good to outstanding.
By understanding the theory behind this color scheme and applying it thoughtfully, you can create visually compelling work that achieves your design goals.
Remember that color theory provides guidelines, not rigid rules.
Once you understand how split complementary colors work, don’t be afraid to experiment and develop your unique approach that speaks to your personal or brand aesthetic.
Whether designing a website, decorating a room, creating marketing materials, or putting together an outfit, split complementary colors give you a versatile framework for making confident color choices that resonate with your audience.
What split complementary color scheme will you try in your next project?
The possibilities are endless, and the results can be truly remarkable.
