What is color averaging?

Color averaging is the process of calculating a single representative color from multiple input colors. Unlike simple mixing, which can produce muddy results, proper color averaging uses mathematical color space models to blend colors in a perceptually meaningful way. When you blend multiple colors using an average color calculator, different color spaces (RGB, LAB, LCH, HSL) produce different results because they represent color differently-some are based on light mixing, others on human perception.

Tool Description

This color mixing online tool calculates the average color from multiple input colors using the chroma.js library. Our color mixing website allows you to choose between different color space modes (RGB, Linear RGB, LAB, LCH, HSL) to get different averaging results. Each mode produces slightly different outcomes based on how colors are mathematically represented in that space, making it a versatile average color calculator for designers and developers.

Features

  • Multiple Color Space Modes: Choose from RGB, Linear RGB (LRGB), LAB, LCH, or HSL color space for averaging
  • Dynamic Color Management: Add or remove colors with a minimum of 2 colors required
  • Real-time Calculation: Average color updates automatically as you modify input colors or change modes
  • Visual Color Picker: Each color input includes a color picker for easy color selection
  • Flexible Output: View the resulting average color in multiple format options (HEX, RGB, HSL, etc.)

Color Space Modes

Different color space modes produce different averaging results:

  • RGB (Red-Green-Blue): Simple arithmetic averaging of RGB values. Fast but can produce less perceptually accurate results, especially with complementary colors.
  • Linear RGB (LRGB): Averaging in linear RGB space (gamma-corrected). More physically accurate than standard RGB, better for light-based calculations.
  • LAB (Lightness, A, B): Perceptually uniform color space designed to match human vision. Best for achieving visually balanced averages. The L component represents lightness, while A and B represent color dimensions.
  • LCH (Lightness, Chroma, Hue): Cylindrical representation of LAB space. Particularly good for preserving color saturation and preventing desaturated results.
  • HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness): Intuitive color space based on artistic color theory. Useful when you want to maintain specific hue relationships, though can produce unexpected results with complementary colors.

Recommendation: Use LAB or LCH for most perceptually accurate results that match how humans see color. Use Linear RGB for physically accurate light mixing.

Use Cases

  • Design Systems: Create intermediate colors for gradients or color scales using this color mixing online tool
  • Brand Color Palettes: Find a balanced color between multiple brand colors with our average color calculator
  • Image Processing: Determine the average tone of multiple sampled colors when you blend multiple colors
  • Color Harmonization: Use this color mixing website to blend colors for cohesive design schemes
  • Data Visualization: Generate representative colors for grouped data points with precise color averaging