tetradic

Tetradic refers to a color-harmony scheme in which four hues are used, forming two complementary pairs on the color wheel. This arrangement is also known as a rectangle or double-complementary scheme. The four colors lie at the corners of a rectangle on the wheel, typically consisting of two color pairs that are opposite each other, such as red and cyan, and yellow and blue.

The tetradic palette provides high contrast and rich variation while maintaining some underlying harmony, but it can become visually busy if all four hues are saturated. To manage balance, designers often designate one color as dominant and treat the other three as accents, adjusting saturation and value to create contrast without overloading the composition. Using a neutral color or varying the lightness of one or more colors can help.

Applications include graphic design, branding, and interior design, where a tetradic scheme can create a lively yet cohesive look. The approach is flexible: colors can be scaled in intensity, with one hue used for most elements and others applied sparingly for emphasis. Accessibility considerations should guide contrast choices, particularly for text and background combinations.

Alternative terms include rectangle and double-complementary scheme. Related schemes are complementary, triadic, and analogous. As with any palette, testing in context is important to ensure legibility, mood, and visual balance.