Color Palettes

Blue and orange: What Color Do They Make?

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Dark brown

Blue + orange = dark brown. With more blue you get blue-gray; with more orange, caramel.

Try it in the mixerCreate a palette with this color

More shades from the same colors

Blue-gray2 parts blue + 1 part orangeCaramel1 part blue + 2 parts orangeLight browndark brown + white

If you mix with real paint

  • Blue + orange: these are opposite colors, so mixed together they cancel each other out and make dark brown. A tiny bit of one is enough to tone down the other.
  • If it gets too dark, add white little by little.

Other color mixes

+=Red and bluePurple+=Blue and yellowGreen+=Blue and whiteSky blue+=Orange and purpleReddish brown+=Blue and greenTeal+=Red and orangeRed-orange+=Blue and blackBlue-gray+=Orange and whiteApricot
See all color mixes →

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Frequently asked questions

What color do blue and orange make?

Blue + orange, in equal parts, make dark brown. With more blue it leans toward blue-gray, and with more orange, toward caramel.

What ratio of blue and orange should I use?

Half and half makes dark brown. 2 parts blue to 1 part orange gives blue-gray; 1 part blue to 2 parts orange gives caramel.

How do I make dark brown lighter or darker?

Add white little by little to lighten it (light brown) or a little black to darken it (dark brown).

Why do blue and orange make dark brown?

Because they are complementary colors: they sit opposite each other on the color wheel, so when mixed they cancel each other out.