Color Palette Glossary
Learn the essential terms and concepts of color theory and palette creation.
Analogous Colors
Colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, creating harmonious and cohesive combinations.
Complementary Colors
Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, creating maximum contrast and visual impact.
Monochromatic
A color scheme based on various shades, tints, and tones of a single hue.
Triadic Colors
Three colors equally spaced around the color wheel, creating a balanced and vibrant combination.
Saturation
The intensity or purity of a color; how vivid or dull a color appears.
Hue
The pure state of a color, without white or black added.
Tint
A color mixed with white, increasing lightness.
Shade
A color mixed with black, increasing darkness.
Tone
A color mixed with gray, reducing intensity.
Value
The lightness or darkness of a color.
Color Wheel
A circular arrangement of colors showing relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
Primary Colors
The three basic colors (red, blue, yellow) from which all other colors can be created.
Secondary Colors
Colors created by mixing two primary colors (green, orange, purple).
Tertiary Colors
Colors created by mixing a primary and an adjacent secondary color.
Split-Complementary
A color scheme using one base color and the two colors adjacent to its complement.
Tetradic Colors
A double complementary color scheme using four colors arranged into two complementary pairs.
Warm Colors
Colors associated with warmth, including reds, oranges, and yellows.
Cool Colors
Colors associated with coolness, including blues, greens, and purples.
Neutral Colors
Colors like black, white, gray, and sometimes brown that work well with most other colors.
Chromatic Colors
Any color that has hue, as opposed to neutral colors like black, white, and gray.
Color Temperature
The perceived warmth or coolness of a color.
Color Harmony
The theory of combining colors in a pleasing arrangement.
Color Context
How a color appears in relation to surrounding colors.
Color Psychology
The study of how colors affect human behavior and emotions.
RGB
An additive color model using Red, Green, and Blue to create colors for digital displays.
CMYK
A subtractive color model using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black) for printing.
HSL
A color model defining colors through Hue, Saturation, and Lightness.
HSB/HSV
A color model using Hue, Saturation, and Brightness/Value.
Hex Color
A six-digit code representing colors in RGB format, commonly used in web design.
Color Depth
The number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel.
Gradient
A gradual transition from one color to another.
Color Cast
An unwanted tint or color shift affecting the overall image.
Gamut
The complete range of colors available in a color system.
Color Balance
The overall distribution and relationship of colors in a design.
Color Blindness
A deficiency in color perception affecting the ability to distinguish certain colors.
Opacity
The degree to which a color is transparent or solid.
Alpha Channel
A color component that represents the transparency level.
Color Space
A specific organization of colors that allows for consistent color reproduction.
Pantone
A standardized color reproduction system used in industry.
Color Correction
The process of adjusting colors to achieve desired results.
Color Management
Systems and practices ensuring consistent color across different devices.
Color Scheme
A planned combination of colors used in design.
Color Theory
The science and art of using color, including how colors mix, match, and contrast.
Color Mixing
The process of combining colors to create new ones.
Color Palette
A selected set of colors used together in design.
Color Profile
A set of data characterizing a color input or output device.
Color Rendering
How accurately a device or light source reproduces colors.
Color Weight
The visual heaviness or lightness of a color in relation to other colors.
Dichromatic
A color scheme using only two colors.
Color Constancy
The ability to perceive colors consistently under varying lighting conditions.
Color Contrast
The difference in visual properties that makes objects distinguishable.
Color Harmony
A pleasing arrangement of colors based on their relationship on the color wheel.
Color Temperature
The warmth or coolness of a color, measured in Kelvin for light sources.