Colors opposite on the color wheel are called?

• A. Analogous colors
• B. Complementary colors
• C. Triadic colors
• D. Monochromatic

Answer: (B)

Opposite colors on the color wheel are called complementary colors. This pairing sits directly across from each other, producing the strongest contrast when used together. That high contrast is why complementary colors make elements pop and grab attention in art and design. When mixed in pigments, they tend to neutralize each other, turning into a dull gray or brown, which is useful for balancing a palette. Common examples are red with green, blue with orange, and yellow with purple. Other relationships—analogous colors (neighbors on the wheel), triadic colors (three evenly spaced), and monochromatic (one color with its tints and shades)—do not sit opposite one another, so they don’t form this high-contrast, across-the-wheel pairing.