Paint Color Mixer (RGB)
Mix two paint colors and preview the blended result.
Enter RGB or hex codes and adjust the mix ratio to simulate blending for art and design projects.
Paint color mixing follows two different systems depending on context: subtractive color mixing (physical pigments — the system used for paints, dyes, and inks) and additive color mixing (light — used for screens and LEDs). For physical paints, the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) system is traditional; professional painters use the CMY (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow) system for more accurate results.
Mixing ratio formula: Mixed Color Volume = Volume A + Volume B Ratio of component A = Volume A ÷ (Volume A + Volume B)
RYB primary mixing table:
- Red + Yellow → Orange (equal parts: warm orange; more red: red-orange; more yellow: yellow-orange)
- Yellow + Blue → Green (equal parts: true green; more yellow: yellow-green; more blue: blue-green)
- Red + Blue → Violet/Purple (equal parts: true purple; more red: red-violet; more blue: blue-violet)
- Red + Yellow + Blue → Brown/Gray (all three primaries muted the result)
Tinting and shading:
- Tint = Color + White (increases lightness, reduces saturation)
- Shade = Color + Black (decreases lightness, reduces saturation — use sparingly; black can muddy colors)
- Tone = Color + Gray (reduces saturation without strongly changing value)
White-to-color ratio for common tints:
- Pastel (light tint): 1 part color : 4 parts white
- Medium tint: 1 part color : 2 parts white
- Light-medium: 1 part color : 1 part white
Volume calculation for a given wall area: Paint needed (gallons) = (Wall Area in sq ft × Coats) ÷ Coverage per gallon Coverage: standard paint = 350–400 sq ft/gallon; primer = 300–350 sq ft/gallon
Worked example: Mixing a custom sage green: Start with 1 quart (32 oz) of mid-green. Add white to create a soft sage.
- Target: medium tint → 1 part color : 2 parts white
- Green: 32 oz + White: 64 oz = 96 oz total (3 quarts) of sage green
- Final ratio: 33% green, 67% white
To deepen the sage: add a tiny amount of raw umber (brown) — 1–2 teaspoons per quart — to knock back the brightness without adding gray. Always mix thoroughly and test on the wall in both wet and dry states before committing.