Create Balanced Triadic Color Schemes Generate triadic color schemes with three colors 120° apart on the wheel.

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Triadic Color Scheme

Generate triadic color schemes with three colors 120° apart on the wheel.

Select Base Color

Choose your starting color using the picker or HEX input.

View Triadic Scheme

See three colors evenly spaced 120° apart on the color wheel.

Copy & Use

Copy individual colors or the complete triadic palette.

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What Is Triadic Color Scheme?

A triadic color scheme generator creates palettes using three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel at 120° intervals. Starting from any base color, the tool calculates two additional colors that together form an equilateral triangle on the color wheel. This creates a vibrant, balanced palette with strong visual contrast while maintaining color harmony. Triadic schemes are more varied than complementary (two colors) but more controlled than random selections. The three-color structure naturally maps to design hierarchy: primary, secondary, and accent. Classic triadic combinations include red-yellow-blue (the primary colors), orange-green-purple (the secondary colors), and countless others. This scheme is popular in graphic design, illustration, interior design, and branding where a rich but cohesive color palette is needed.

Why Use Triadic Color Scheme?

Three harmonious colors that create vibrant, balanced designs
Automatic calculation of colors exactly 120° apart
Shows hue angles for educational color theory reference
Visual palette strip and individual swatches with copy buttons
Free and instant — explore unlimited triadic combinations

Common Use Cases

Brand Identity

Create a three-color brand palette with natural harmony for logos, websites, and marketing.

Illustration

Use triadic colors to create vibrant, eye-catching illustrations with balanced color distribution.

Data Visualization

Distinguish three data categories with maximum visual separation and pleasing aesthetics.

Interior Design

Plan room color schemes using triadic harmony for balanced, lively spaces.

Technical Guide

The triadic scheme divides the 360° color wheel into three equal segments of 120° each. Given a base hue H, the three triadic colors are at hues H, (H+120)%360, and (H+240)%360. All three colors share the same saturation and lightness as the base, ensuring visual consistency. In color theory, triadic harmony provides sufficient variety for complex designs while maintaining inherent balance. The equilateral triangle formed on the color wheel guarantees that no two colors are too similar (minimum 120° separation) or too contrasting (maximum 120° separation from each other). For practical use, one color should dominate (60-70% of the design area), a second should support (20-25%), and the third should accent (5-10%).

Tips & Best Practices

1
Let one triadic color dominate and use the other two as accents for balanced designs
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Adjust saturation and lightness of individual colors to create hierarchy within the triad
3
Red-yellow-blue is the most classic triadic combination — the primary color triad
4
Desaturate all three slightly for a sophisticated, muted triadic palette
5
Triadic schemes work especially well for playful, energetic brands and children's products

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is a triadic color scheme?

A triadic scheme uses three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel, 120° apart. They form an equilateral triangle on the wheel, creating vibrant yet balanced harmony.

Q How do I use triadic colors effectively?

Follow the 60-30-10 rule: use one color for 60% of space (dominant), another for 30% (supporting), and the third for 10% (accent). This prevents visual chaos.

Q Are triadic colors too bold for professional designs?

Not if you adjust them. Reduce saturation for sophistication, or use only one color at full saturation with the others muted. Many corporate brands use triadic schemes successfully.

About This Tool

Triadic Color Scheme is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.