Related color question
What Color Makes It Purple?
In paint, red and blue make purple. A little white makes lighter purple, and more blue can make a cooler violet.
Quick answer for kids
Mix red paint and blue paint together. If the purple is too dark, add a little white and stir again.
Parent and teacher note
Purple is a secondary color in traditional paint mixing. In light, red plus blue makes magenta, and in printer ink, magenta plus cyan or blue-leaning ink can create purple tones.
What colors make purple by color system
Paint Lab
Paint Mode: red plus blue makes purple.
Light Mode
Light Mode: red light plus blue light makes magenta, which is close to a bright purple-pink.
Printer Ink Mode
Printer Ink Mode: magenta plus cyan or blue-leaning ink can create purple.
Try it in Free Mix
Open the unified lab, switch systems, and compare the recipe without a score.
Open Free MixWorksheet activity
Mix red and blue, then split the mixture and add white to one half.
Frequently asked questions
What color makes it purple?
For paint, red and blue make purple. Adjust the mix with white, red, or blue to change the shade.
Can blue make purple by itself?
No. Blue paint needs red paint to make purple in a traditional paint mixture.
How do you make light purple?
Mix red and blue to make purple, then add white a little at a time.