What Color Does Red and Blue Make?
In paint (RYB), red plus blue makes purple; on screens, blending saturated red (#FF0000) and blue (#0000FF) moves through magenta toward violet. Use the simulator, then compare the ratio table.
Color 1
#FF0000
Color 2
#0000FF
Mixed Result
HEX: #A300A3
RGB: 163, 0, 163
Closest name: Purple
Red + Blue = Purple
Want more mixes? Explore the full Color Mixing Simulator.
Quick answer
Red + Blue = Purple (#800080)
Swatch shows the headline mix color—compare with the ratio table and adjust live in the simulator.
Why this mix looks the way it does
Subtractive primaries treat red and blue as two corners of the RYB triangle; their mixture removes middle wavelengths we perceive as green-yellow, leaving a purple family. Additive RGB is different—full red plus full blue yields magenta—but designers still search “red and blue” when mixing paint or ink. The table uses linear RGB mixes as digital stand-ins; validate final brand swatches against physical samples when print fidelity matters.
Five mix ratios (hex previews)
Ratios describe how much of each primary contributes to the blend; hex values are reference stops for design tokens and mood boards.
| Mix | Name | Swatch | Hex | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80% red + 20% blue | Red-magenta | #CC0033 | ||
| 60% red + 40% blue | Deep orchid | #990066 | ||
| 50% red + 50% blue | Web purple | #800080 | ||
| 40% red + 60% blue | Blue-violet | #660099 | ||
| 20% red + 80% blue | Deep blue | #3300CC |
Using this combination in UI and brand design
Use violet and magenta accents for creative tech, nightlife, and premium promos—pair with off-white or charcoal for readable type. Avoid stacking two saturated purples beside pure red CTAs without hierarchy. After picking a hero blend, extend semantic tokens in the palette generator and verify buttons and links in the contrast checker.
Build harmonious ramps and harmonies from any swatch above in the palette generator, then validate text, links, and buttons with the contrast checker.