What Colors Go With Purple? 12 Combinations (+ Hex Codes)

Purple is one of the most versatile colors you can design with — it can feel luxurious, creative, calming or bold depending on what you pair it with. If you've ever asked "what colors go with purple?", this guide gives you 12 proven combinations, each with copy-ready hex codes.

Want to skip ahead and browse live schemes? Explore the purple color palettes on PaletteCSS, all with one-click hex copying.

The short answer

Purple pairs beautifully with yellow and gold (its complement), with pink and blue (its neighbors), and with gray, cream and white (calming neutrals). For a bolder look, try teal, green or orange.

12 colors that go with purple

Complementary: purple + yellow / gold

On the color wheel, yellow sits directly opposite purple, which makes it purple's complementary color — the highest-contrast, most eye-catching pairing. Soften it with gold (#D4AF37) for a richer, more premium feel that's popular in beauty and luxury branding.

Analogous: purple + pink / blue

Neighboring colors create calm, cohesive schemes. Purple flows naturally into pink on one side and blue on the other — perfect for gradients. Learn more in our guide to pink color palettes.

Neutral: purple + gray, cream or white

When you want purple to feel sophisticated rather than loud, pair it with neutrals. A single purple accent over a cream or light-gray background reads elegant and modern.

Bold: purple + teal, green or orange

For creative brands and landing pages, contrast purple with a punchy teal or orange. These combinations pop especially well as a CSS gradient.

Use it in CSS

:root {
  --purple:  #7C3AED;
  --accent:  #FACC15;
  --ink:     #1F1147;
  --paper:   #FAF5FF;
}

Frequently asked questions

What is the complementary color of purple?

Yellow is the complementary color of purple — it sits directly opposite on the color wheel and creates the strongest contrast.

What colors go with dark purple?

Dark purple pairs beautifully with gold, blush pink, silver-gray and black. See our full guide to the dark purple aesthetic.

What two colors make purple?

Mixing red and blue makes purple. Adding more red gives a warm magenta-purple; more blue gives a cooler violet.

Next, explore the full purple color palette guide, or learn the fundamentals in color theory basics.