Paint Mixing Calculator
Calculate paint color mixing ratios to achieve target colors from primary paints. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Paint Mixing Calculator
Calculator
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Formula: Mixed Color = Sum(Ratio × Pigment RGB) / Sum(Ratios)
Worked example — ~67% Burnt Sienna + 22% Black + 11% Red
Formula
Mixed Color = Sum(Ratio × Pigment RGB) / Sum(Ratios)
This calculator uses RGB color space approximation to estimate mixing ratios. Real paint mixing is subtractive (pigments absorb light), while this uses a simplified model. Results are approximate starting points — always mix small test amounts first.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Mixing Saddle Brown
Problem:Mix saddle brown (#8B4513) from basic palette colors.
Solution:Start with Burnt Sienna as the base (closest single pigment) Add a small amount of Ivory Black to deepen Add a touch of Cadmium Red for warmth Ratio approximately: 6 parts Burnt Sienna, 2 parts Black, 1 part Red Adjust with Yellow Ochre if needed for a warmer tone
Result:~67% Burnt Sienna + 22% Black + 11% Red
Example 2: Creating Sage Green
Problem:Mix sage green (#87AE73) from available colors.
Solution:Start with Sap Green as the base Add Titanium White to lighten to sage level Add a tiny bit of Yellow Ochre for warmth Ratio: 4 parts Sap Green, 5 parts White, 1 part Yellow Ochre Sage green is a muted, desaturated green — the white does the heavy lifting
Result:~40% Sap Green + 50% White + 10% Yellow Ochre
Frequently Asked Questions
How does paint mixing work?
Paint mixing follows subtractive color theory — each pigment absorbs (subtracts) certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. When you mix two colors, the result absorbs wavelengths from both paints, producing a darker, less saturated color. This is different from light mixing (additive), where combining colors gets brighter. Key principles: Red + Yellow = Orange, Blue + Yellow = Green, Red + Blue = Purple. Adding white creates tints, adding black creates shades, and adding the complementary color creates muted, earth-tone variations.
Why doesn't my mixed color match the target exactly?
Several factors make exact color matching challenging. Digital screens use RGB (additive light), while paint uses subtractive pigments — the physics are fundamentally different. Paint pigments are not 'pure' primaries: each brand's 'red' has different undertones. Paint Mixing Calculator provides a starting point estimate based on RGB interpolation. In practice, mix small amounts first, compare in natural light (not fluorescent), and adjust. Professional color matchers use spectrophotometers and custom pigment formulas for exact matches.
What is a complementary color?
A complementary color sits opposite on the color wheel — red/green, blue/orange, yellow/purple. When placed next to each other, complementary colors create maximum visual contrast and make each other appear more vibrant. When mixed together in paint, they neutralize each other, creating gray or brown (useful for creating shadows and muted tones). In art, complementary color schemes are eye-catching and dynamic. The 'complement' of #8B4513 (saddle brown) is #74BAEC (sky blue).
What are the best basic colors to start with?
A limited palette of 5-6 colors can mix almost any color. The essential palette: Cadmium Red (warm red), Alizarin Crimson (cool red), Cadmium Yellow (warm yellow), Ultramarine Blue (warm blue), Titanium White, and Ivory Black. With these, you can mix any secondary and tertiary color. Some artists add Burnt Sienna (earth tones), Yellow Ochre (skin tones), and Viridian Green (landscapes). A limited palette forces you to learn color mixing deeply and produces more harmonious paintings.
What is the difference between tint, shade, and tone?
Tint: base color + white. Makes colors lighter and pastel (pink is a tint of red). Shade: base color + black. Makes colors darker and deeper (navy is a shade of blue). Tone: base color + gray (or complementary). Makes colors more muted and natural-looking. In practice, avoid using pure black for shadows — mix dark colors from complementary pairs (blue + orange, purple + yellow) for richer, more lifelike shadows. Use white sparingly, as too much makes colors look chalky.
What are the standard concrete mix ratios?
Common ratios by volume are 1:2:3 (cement:sand:gravel) for general purpose, 1:1.5:3 for structural work, and 1:2:4 for foundations. The water-to-cement ratio should be 0.45-0.55 for optimal strength. Lower water content produces stronger concrete.
How do I estimate paint coverage for a room?
One gallon covers approximately 350-400 square feet per coat. Calculate wall area by multiplying perimeter by ceiling height, then subtract window and door openings. Most jobs need two coats, so divide total area by 175-200 per gallon. Add 10% for touch-ups and waste.
References
Background & Theory
Subtractive vs. Additive Color Mixing
This calculator's RGB-based estimate is a deliberate simplification worth understanding: screens mix light additively (red + green light = yellow light), while paint mixes pigments subtractively (each pigment absorbs certain wavelengths and reflects the rest, so mixing pigments generally darkens and desaturates rather than brightens).
| Mixing type | Medium | Effect of combining |
|---|---|---|
| Additive (RGB) | Light — screens, stage lighting | Colors get brighter; all channels at max = white |
| Subtractive (pigment) | Paint, ink, dye | Colors get darker/duller; all pigments mixed = near-black/gray |
Because this calculator interpolates in RGB (additive) space as a practical approximation for on-screen color picking, its ratio output is a starting point, not a lab-accurate pigment formula — real paint brands vary in undertone and tinting strength even within the "same" named color, per Golden Paints' and Gamblin's technical mixing guides (see References).
Real-World Use Case: Building a Limited Palette for a New Painter
A classic limited palette of just 5-6 pigments — a warm and cool red, warm and cool blue, warm yellow, plus white and black — can mix nearly the full visible color range through systematic combination, which is why many painting instructors deliberately restrict beginners to a small palette rather than buying 40 pre-mixed tubes. This calculator's pigment picker mirrors that approach: selecting only 2-3 base colors and searching for the best-fit ratio against a target teaches the same subtractive-mixing intuition a limited palette is designed to build, rather than jumping straight to a pre-made "burnt sienna" tube.
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy
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