RYB Color Mixer
Mix two colors using subtractive (RYB) or additive (RGB) color theory. Drag the blend track to control the mix — the result updates in real time.
How the RYB Color Mixer Works
The RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) color model is the traditional subtractive color system used in art and painting. When you mix paint colors, each pigment absorbs (subtracts) certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. Mixing more pigments absorbs more wavelengths, producing darker results.
This contrasts with RGB (Red-Green-Blue), the additive color model used for screens and digital displays. In RGB, mixing more colors adds more light, producing brighter results — mixing all three primaries at full intensity produces white.
Our mixer uses the Gosset-Sedgwick RYB-to-RGB mapping for accurate subtractive color blending. Toggle between RYB and RGB mode to see the difference between paint mixing and screen mixing.
How to Use the Color Mixer
- Pick two colors using the color pickers or hex code inputs.
- Drag the ratio slider to control how much of each color contributes to the mix.
- Toggle between RYB (Paint) for subtractive mixing or RGB (Screen) for additive mixing.
- Copy the resulting hex code, RGB, or HSL values for use in your project.
RYB Primary Colors
- Red — a primary color, cannot be created by mixing other colors in RYB
- Yellow — a primary color, cannot be created by mixing other colors in RYB
- Blue — a primary color, cannot be created by mixing other colors in RYB
RYB Secondary Colors
- Orange = Red + Yellow
- Green = Blue + Yellow
- Purple = Red + Blue
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RYB and RGB color mixing?
RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) is a subtractive model used for paint and pigment — mixing more colors absorbs more light and produces darker results. RGB (Red-Green-Blue) is an additive model used for screens — mixing more colors adds more light and produces brighter results. Mixing all three RGB primaries produces white; mixing all three RYB primaries produces dark brown or black.
Can I mix more than two colors?
This tool mixes two colors at a time, but you can chain mixes. After a mix, click Use as Color 1 or Use as Color 2 under the result to feed the mix back into the tool, then set the other input to a third color and mix again. This lets you build complex color combinations step by step.
Why does my mix look muddy?
Muddy colors usually result from mixing complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel). Complementary colors neutralize each other, producing gray or brown. To avoid muddiness, mix colors that are close together on the wheel, or limit your palette to fewer pigments.
How do I mix paint colors to get a specific color?
Start by identifying the target color's hue on the color wheel. Mix the two nearest primary or secondary colors to approximate the hue, then adjust the ratio to fine-tune. Add white to lighten (tint), black to darken (shade), or the complement to mute (tone). Use the ratio slider to experiment with different proportions.
Color Mixing Guide Poster
A vibrant printed reference chart for your studio or classroom.
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