Color Mixing Calculator

Category: Housing/Building
- April 23, 2025
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Mix colors together to see the resulting color. Choose from RGB, CMYK, or pigment mixing models to simulate different color mixing scenarios for digital design or physical art projects.

Mixing Method

50% 50%

Color Inputs

Color 1
Red
#FF0000
50:50
Color 2
Blue
#0000FF

Advanced Options

Mixed Color Result

Purple
#800080
RGB: 128, 0, 128
HSL: 300°, 100%, 25%
Mixing Formula:
Red (50%) + Blue (50%) = Purple

How This Color is Mixed

RGB Additive Mixing:

  • Red (#FF0000): RGB(255, 0, 0) × 50% = RGB(127.5, 0, 0)
  • Blue (#0000FF): RGB(0, 0, 255) × 50% = RGB(0, 0, 127.5)
  • Mixed Result: RGB(127.5, 0, 127.5) ≈ RGB(128, 0, 128) = #800080 (Purple)

About Color Mixing

Color mixing is the process of combining colors to create new colors. Different color mixing methods are used depending on whether you're working with light, paint, or print media.

RGB (Additive) Mixing

Used for mixing colored light, such as on screens and digital displays. The primary colors are Red, Green, and Blue.

  • Red + Green = Yellow
  • Red + Blue = Magenta
  • Green + Blue = Cyan
  • Red + Green + Blue = White
CMYK (Subtractive) Mixing

Used in printing and industrial color production. The primary colors are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black).

  • Cyan + Magenta = Blue
  • Cyan + Yellow = Green
  • Magenta + Yellow = Red
  • Cyan + Magenta + Yellow = Black (theoretically, but in practice appears brownish)
RYB (Traditional) Mixing

Traditional color mixing system used by artists for pigments, paints, and dyes. The primary colors are Red, Yellow, and Blue.

  • Red + Yellow = Orange
  • Yellow + Blue = Green
  • Blue + Red = Purple
  • Red + Yellow + Blue = Brown or dark muddy colors
Practical Applications
  • Digital Design: Using RGB mixing for web and app design
  • Print Design: Using CMYK mixing for print media
  • Fine Art: Using RYB mixing for painting and traditional media
  • Color Theory: Understanding how colors interact and complement each other
  • Color Matching: Creating specific colors for branding and design systems

What Is the Color Mixing Calculator?

The Color Mixing Calculator is an interactive tool that helps you experiment with how different colors combine. Whether you're working on a digital design project, painting a mural, or preparing print materials, this tool makes it easy to mix two or more colors and see the results instantly. It's especially useful for exploring how light, pigment, or print-based colors interact.

You can choose between RGB (light), CMYK (print), and RYB (traditional pigment) mixing methods. Each approach reflects how colors blend in different real-world scenarios — from screen displays to canvas to printouts.

How to Use the Color Mixing Calculator

  • Select a mixing method: Choose RGB for digital screens, CMYK for printing, or RYB for paint or pigment blending.
  • Pick your colors: Use a color picker, hex code, RGB, or HSL values to define two base colors.
  • Adjust the mixing ratio: Use the slider to control how much each color contributes to the mix.
  • View the result: Instantly see the resulting color, along with its name, hex code, RGB, and HSL values.
  • Explore color mixing steps: Check out a breakdown of how the final color was formed.

You can also copy the final color’s values to use in other design tools or documentation, making it handy for both personal creativity and professional projects.

Formula for RGB Mixing

\( \text{Mixed Color} = (\text{Color 1} \times \text{Ratio}) + (\text{Color 2} \times (1 - \text{Ratio})) \)

Why Use This Calculator?

This tool isn't just a color blender — it's a practical assistant for creatives and professionals alike. Here’s how it can help:

  • Designers: Match colors for branding or UI projects with RGB mixing.
  • Artists: Understand how pigments interact before mixing real paints with the RYB model.
  • Print professionals: Simulate CMYK mixing for accurate print previews.
  • Educators: Demonstrate color theory concepts to students visually.

It’s like having a digital Color Wheel Calculator with deeper functionality — not only does it show how hues interact, but it also reveals the math and logic behind each blend.

Key Features

  • Three mixing methods: RGB, CMYK, and RYB
  • Multiple input methods: Pickers, HEX, RGB, and HSL
  • Real-time color preview and step-by-step mixing explanation
  • Color code copy options for HEX, RGB, and HSL
  • Common color presets for quick access
  • Optional multi-color mixing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use more than two colors?

Yes. Use the “Advanced Options” to enable multi-color mixing with up to four colors.

Which mixing method should I choose?

  • RGB: Best for screen and web-based projects.
  • CMYK: Ideal for anything meant for print.
  • RYB: Useful for traditional painting and pigment-based projects.

What if my color doesn't have a name?

The tool attempts to label common color results (like red, blue, or purple), but for custom shades, it may show “Mixed Color” instead.

How precise is the mixing?

The calculator offers an accurate digital simulation using mathematical blending formulas. While it can't perfectly replicate every pigment or printer behavior, it offers a close approximation useful for planning.

Where This Tool Fits In

The Color Mixing Calculator is a creative counterpart to other practical estimators like the Concrete Calculator for cement mix measurement or the Tile Calculator for tile area planning. Whether you're calculating gravel needs with a Gravel Calculator or planning stair dimensions using a Stair Calculator, having visual and functional tools enhances project confidence.

This tool is a must-have in your digital toolbox alongside utilities like the Paint Calculator and the BTU Calculator, each bringing precision to different aspects of design and planning.