Tertiary Colors

A Tertiary Color is a color made by mixing one primary color with one secondary color, in a given color space such as RGB or RYB.

Unlike primary and secondary colors, these are not represented by one firmly established name each, but the following examples include some typical names. Brown and grey are sometimes known as Tertiary colors and are usually made by the complementary color


RGB or CMY Primaries

Cyan + Blue = Azure

Blue + Magenta = Violet

Magenta + Red = Rose

Red + Yellow = Orange

Yellow + Green = Chartreuse

Green + Cyan = Spring green

Traditional Painting (RYB)

Red + Orange = Red orange

Orange + Yellow = Orange yellow

Yellow + Green = Chartreuse

Green + Blue = Aquamarine

Blue + Violet = Indigo

Violet + Red = Violet red