Nearcomplementary

Nearcomplementary, or near-complementary, is a term used in color theory to describe a color relationship in which a color is paired with another color that lies close to its direct complement on the color wheel. The approach aims to achieve high visual contrast while avoiding some of the intensity and harshness associated with true complements.

Determination and properties. On a standard color wheel, the complement of a hue H lies roughly at H plus 180 degrees. A near-complement is any hue within a small angular distance from that value, typically in the range of about 5 to 40 degrees. This yields a near-complement color that remains vibrant but is slightly softened compared with the exact opposite hue. In digital color spaces such as HSV or HSL, near-complement relationships can be defined by a limited hue difference from the complement, while saturation and lightness vary more freely.

Usage and considerations. Near-complementary schemes are used in art, graphic design, branding, and user interface work to create lively contrast without the sometimes jarring effect of true complements. They work well for accents, buttons, or focal elements when balanced against neutral backgrounds or muted tones. Designers should consider accessibility and ensure sufficient contrast if text or essential information relies on these colors, adjusting saturation and brightness as needed.

Examples and relation to other schemes. For a base hue of blue, the true complement lies around orange; near-complements would be hues slightly to either side of that orange region (red-orange to orange-yellow). Near-complementary schemes sit between complementary and split-complementary approaches; they offer strong contrast with a single near-opposite hue rather than two distinct hues.

See also: color theory, complementary colors, split-complementary, color harmony, accessibility in color.