Tetradic Color Generator

Select a base color to generate a tetradic palette — four hues arranged in two complementary pairs, 90° apart on the color wheel. Also called a double complementary scheme, it's the richest four-color harmony available.

What Is a Tetradic (Double Complementary) Scheme?

A tetradic scheme uses four colors positioned at 90° intervals around the color wheel — tracing out a square (or rectangle, when the intervals vary). Because it contains two complementary pairs, every color in the palette has an immediate high-contrast partner.

This gives designers maximum color variety from a single starting point. The trade-off is complexity: four saturated hues competing equally can feel overwhelming. Success depends on choosing one dominant color, one strong secondary, and using the remaining two sparingly.

Tetradic schemes are popular in video game UI, festival branding, and illustration — anywhere bold variety is a feature rather than a flaw.

Square Tetradic

All four colors exactly 90° apart. Maximum balance between all four hues.

Rectangular Tetradic

Two complementary pairs with different spacing — creates more asymmetric, natural-feeling palettes.

Generate Your Tetradic Palette

Base Color

Rectangle Offset 0°

0° = square, >0° = rectangular

Lightness 50%

How to Balance a Tetradic Palette

Four strong colors need a clear hierarchy. These strategies help:

Designate one dominant hue — use it for the widest surfaces; treat the palette as if it has a "lead" color
Vary saturation and lightness — mute three of the four hues and let only one be fully saturated to reduce competition
Use neutrals as separators — white, black, or gray between swatches prevents colors from fighting each other
Pair the complementary colors — because the scheme contains two complementary pairs, using them in adjacent areas (not overlapping) keeps the high contrast intentional

If four colors feel like too much, consider the triadic generator for a somewhat simpler three-color balance, or the split complementary for a simpler high-contrast three-color option.