A clear HSL rule
The companion adds 180 degrees to the base HSL hue, while retaining saturation and lightness. Red becomes cyan in this model; this differs from some traditional artist color wheels.
ONELESS / COLOR
Complementary Color Generator
A complementary pair gives one hue a counterpart across the digital color circle. Enter a base HEX and compare its exact color with the HSL opposite. This focused view keeps the two colors large, with their hue angles and copyable values close at hand.
Open Complementary Color Generator. JavaScript powers the workspace; the full guide is available below.
UNDERSTAND THE RESULT
Color, with a little context.
The base is preserved
The first result is your exact normalized HEX. Companion colors are calculated from HSL and rounded once to 8-bit RGB. Alpha is outside this view; use an opaque 3- or 6-digit code.
Harmony is not a contrast guarantee
At zero saturation every companion can become the same gray. Black and white endpoints also collapse. Select any swatch to inspect black/white text ratios, and assess actual pairs with WCAG Contrast Checker.
HOW TO USE IT
From a starting point to a usable result.
- Enter the Base HEX to update the palette immediately.
- Compare the base and its companions using the 180° opposite relationship.
- Select a swatch to inspect and copy its HEX, or choose CSS to copy every color as a numbered variable.
A WORKED EXAMPLE
Red and its digital complement
#FF0000 has hue 0°, full saturation and 50% lightness. Its 180° HSL companion is #00FFFF.
EVERYDAY USES
Make the next small decision easier.
Explore a strong accent
Start with a familiar brand shade and inspect its opposite as a possible accent. Use proportion and context to decide how much of each color belongs in the design.
Keep a reusable starting set
Copy the palette into a draft stylesheet or mood board. Name roles only after checking the colors in their actual composition and text context.
LOCAL WORKSPACE
Your work stays in this browser.
The tool processes color values locally. It does not upload the input to a processing server or save it in browser storage. Leaving or reloading the page clears the working state. Copying places the selected result on your clipboard; sharing sends only the page address without your working values.
These tools describe sRGB colors. Browser decoding, color management and the display can affect what you see; they are not an ICC proofing workflow or a print-color guarantee. Read the site privacy policy for information about the surrounding website.
KEEP IT NEARBY
One less search next time.
Press Ctrl + D on Windows or Command + D on Mac to bookmark this page. Your browser may also offer Create shortcut or Add to Home Screen. Shortcuts open the tool; they do not include your colors or images.
Choose a shortcut icon
Soft Coral
Warm Peach
Sunset Orange
OneLess Blue
Rose PinkQUESTIONS, ANSWERED
A few useful details.
Is this an artist paint wheel?
No. These relationships use digital HSL hue angles in sRGB, not an RYB paint model.
Why do some swatches look the same?
Hue changes have no visible effect on zero-saturation gray or on pure black and white. The tool reports the mathematical relationship without inventing extra saturation.
Can I edit each companion independently?
This focused generator keeps a fixed hue relationship and shared saturation/lightness. Use Color Picker or Color Palette Generator to refine individual outputs afterward.
Is the palette automatically accessible?
No. A hue relationship does not guarantee any required contrast ratio. Check the actual text/background or meaningful graphic pair separately.
How far apart are complementary hues here?
They are 180 degrees apart on the digital HSL hue circle. This provides an opposite-hue starting point, not a prescription for how much of each color to use.
Can I keep an existing brand color as the base?
Yes. Enter the brand HEX and derive its partner. The base is preserved while the complementary hue is calculated.
Should both colors have equal prominence?
They do not have to. Try one as the main color and the other as a smaller accent, then assess contrast and visual balance in your actual layout.
REFERENCES
ANOTHER SMALL STEP
Keep the next tool close.
Ready for a little more color?
One color. Its opposite. A new possibility.
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