What Colors Make Pink?

How Is Pink Made?

Pink is not a primary color, but rather a tint of red. You can create pink by mixing red with white. The more white you add, the lighter the pink becomes.
Red + White = Pink

In traditional color theory, pink is considered a tint of red. This means it's created by adding white to red, which lightens the color while maintaining its basic hue. The exact shade of pink you get depends on the ratio of red to white.

Creating Pink in the RGB Color Model

In digital formats using the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) model, pink is achieved by increasing red and adding some green and blue to lighten the color. For example:
RGB(255, 192, 203) — This is the typical "Light Pink".

By adjusting the balance of red, green, and blue, you can generate many pink shades:

• Hot Pink: RGB(255, 105, 180)
• Deep Pink: RGB(255, 20, 147)
• Pale Pink: RGB(255, 209, 220)
• Rose Pink: RGB(255, 102, 204)

Creating Pink in the CMYK Color Model

In printing, the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) model is used. To create pink, you start with:
Magenta + White (paper or reduced ink density) = Pink

The ratio of magenta to white space (or dilution) determines how bright or pale the pink will be. Here are some common CMYK values for pink:

• Light Pink: C:0 M:20 Y:10 K:0
• Hot Pink: C:0 M:100 Y:30 K:0
• Deep Pink: C:0 M:90 Y:40 K:0

Shades and Tints of Pink

There are countless variations of pink, each with its own unique characteristics and mixing formulas:

• Light Pink: Red + lots of White
• Hot Pink: Red + small amount of Blue
• Rose: Red + White + a hint of Yellow
• Salmon: Pink + a touch of Orange
• Fuchsia: Red + small amount of Blue + touch of White
• Blush: Red + White + tiny amount of Brown

Can You Make Pink Without Red?

Technically, no. Since pink is a tint of red, red must be present to form any version of pink. However, you can use magenta or similar hues in CMYK and still achieve pink-like results when mixed with white or light backgrounds.

In some color systems, you might achieve pink-like colors by mixing other combinations, but these won't be true pinks. For example:

• Magenta + White = Pink (in CMYK)
• Purple + White = Pinkish Purple
• Orange + White = Pinkish Orange

Practical Tips for Mixing Pink

Here are some practical tips for creating the perfect shade of pink:

• Start with a small amount of red and gradually add white
• For warmer pinks, add a tiny amount of yellow
• For cooler pinks, add a small amount of blue
• For muted pinks, add a touch of complementary color (green)
• For pastel pinks, use more white and less red
• For vibrant pinks, use pure red with minimal white

Try Mixing Pink Yourself

With our Color Mixing Tool, you can experiment with red and white, or even explore how other subtle combinations affect the hue of pink. Whether you're a designer or educator, this tool helps visualize how pink is made.