What colors make brown?
Red, yellow and blue together make brown, and so does any complementary pair: orange and blue, purple and yellow, or red and green.
Red, yellow and blue together make brown, and so does any complementary pair: orange and blue, purple and yellow, or red and green.
Mixes that make brown
red + yellow + blue · #593314
orange + blue · #593314
purple + yellow · #593314
red + green · #593314
Lighter and darker
red + yellow + blue + white · #97806c
red + yellow + blue + black · #3e240e
Tips
Start with orange and add blue a little at a time. It is the easiest of the pairs to control, and more orange keeps the brown warm.
Frequently asked questions
What colors make brown?
Red, yellow and blue together make brown, and so does any complementary pair: orange and blue, purple and yellow, or red and green.
How do I make brown lighter or darker?
Add white for a lighter tint (#97806c) and black for a darker shade (#3e240e). Add either a little at a time - both shift a mix faster than you expect.
Any tips for mixing brown?
Start with orange and add blue a little at a time. It is the easiest of the pairs to control, and more orange keeps the brown warm.
Does this work the same way on a screen?
No. Screens mix light additively, so red and green light make yellow there. These results are for paint, ink and dye, which mix subtractively.