What Colors Make Yellow?
Learn how to mix and create different shades of yellow
Yellow is one of the three primary colors in traditional color theory, meaning it cannot be created by mixing other colors in paint or pigment. However, you can create various shades and tones of yellow by mixing it with other colors. Yellow is the brightest and most luminous of all colors.
How to Make Yellow
Yellow
White
#FEF3C7
Adding white creates cream and pale yellow shades.
Yellow
Red
#F97316
Adding red creates orange and gold tones.
Yellow
Blue
#22C55E
Yellow and blue create green.
Yellow
Brown
#CA8A04
Adding brown or ochre creates mustard and golden yellows.
Color Theory: Understanding Yellow
In subtractive color mixing (paints), yellow is a primary color that cannot be made from other colors. In additive color mixing (light/RGB), yellow is created by combining red and green light. Yellow light wavelengths fall around 570-590 nanometers.
Shades & Variations of Yellow
Lemon
#FFF44F
Yellow with a touch of green
Gold
#FFD700
Yellow with orange and brown
Mustard
#FFDB58
Yellow with brown and orange
Cream
#FFFDD0
Yellow with lots of white
Canary
#FFEF00
Bright, pure yellow
Amber
#FFBF00
Yellow with orange
Butter
#FFFF99
Soft yellow with white
Honey
#EB9605
Yellow with orange and brown
Saffron
#F4C430
Rich yellow with warm orange tint
Maize
#FBEC5D
Pale yellow with slight warmth
Flax
#EEDC82
Muted yellow with beige undertone
Sunflower
#FFDA03
Bright warm yellow
Pro Tips for Mixing Yellow
- Yellow is the hardest color to darken without it turning green or brown
- Use yellow sparingly—it's highly visible and can overwhelm a design
- Cadmium yellow and hansa yellow are common artist pigments
- Yellow and purple are complementary colors with maximum contrast