What Colors Make Green?
Learn how to mix and create different shades of green
Green is a secondary color created by mixing blue and yellow together. It's the color most associated with nature, growth, and renewal. The wide variety of greens—from lime to forest to teal—comes from adjusting the blue-to-yellow ratio and adding other colors.
How to Make Green
Blue
Yellow
#22C55E
Equal parts blue and yellow create a balanced, true green.
Green
Yellow
#84CC16
Adding more yellow creates lime green and chartreuse shades.
Green
Blue
#14B8A6
Adding more blue creates teal and blue-green shades.
Green
Black
#166534
Adding black creates forest green and dark green shades.
Color Theory: Understanding Green
In subtractive color mixing, green is created when blue and yellow pigments combine. Yellow absorbs blue light while blue absorbs red light, leaving green wavelengths to reach our eyes. In additive color mixing (RGB), green is a primary color produced by specific light wavelengths around 495-570 nanometers.
Shades & Variations of Green
Lime Green
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More yellow than blue
Forest Green
#166534
Green with black added
Mint Green
#A7F3D0
Green with white and a touch of blue
Olive Green
#78716C
Green with orange or brown
Teal
#14B8A6
Equal green and blue
Sage Green
#9CA38F
Green with gray and a touch of yellow
Hunter Green
#355E3B
Deep green with black and blue
Emerald
#50C878
Bright green with a touch of blue
Chartreuse
#7FFF00
Yellow-green with more yellow
Sea Green
#2E8B57
Green with blue and a touch of gray
Kelly Green
#4CBB17
Pure bright green
Jade
#00A86B
Green with blue undertone
Pro Tips for Mixing Green
- Phthalo blue creates vibrant greens, while ultramarine creates more muted greens
- Lemon yellow makes brighter greens; ochre yellow makes earthier greens
- Add red or orange to green to create olive and earth tones
- Green is calming and easy on the eyes—great for backgrounds and nature themes