What Colors Make Mint Green?
Green and white make mint green. A touch of blue cools it into the pale, fresh mint most people picture.
Green + White = Mint Green
Green
1 part
White
5 parts
Mint Green
Green is very strong — work into the white gradually or you will land on pistachio instead of mint.
Green + White + Blue = Mint Green
Green
1 part
White
5 parts
Blue
a speck
Mint Green
The speck of blue is what makes it read as mint rather than a plain pale green.
Blue + Yellow + White = Mint Green
Blue
1 part
Yellow
1 part
White
8 parts
Mint Green
Build the green from primaries first, then tint. Adjust the blue-yellow balance before adding the white.
Adjusting your mint green
To lighten: Add more white for seafoam and pale honeydew.
To darken: Add more green for jade, or a little blue for sea green.
To mute or soften: Add a speck of red (green’s complement) for a soft, sage-like mint.
Mixing paint vs. mixing light
The recipes above describe subtractive mixing — how paint, ink and pigment behave. Each pigment absorbs part of the spectrum, so the more you add, the darker the mixture gets.
Screens work the opposite way, using additive mixing with red, green and blue light: the more you add, the brighter it gets. With light (RGB), mint green is high green light with substantial red and blue mixed in, which is what makes it pale, e.g. #A8E4C0.
Frequently asked about making mint green
What colors make mint green?
Green and white make mint green. A touch of blue cools it into the pale, fresh mint most people picture.
What two colors make mint green?
Green + White makes mint green. Green is very strong — work into the white gradually or you will land on pistachio instead of mint.
How do you make mint green lighter or darker?
Add more white for seafoam and pale honeydew. Add more green for jade, or a little blue for sea green.
Is mixing mint green paint the same as mixing mint green light?
No. Paint mixes subtractively while light mixes additively. With light (RGB), mint green is high green light with substantial red and blue mixed in, which is what makes it pale, e.g. #A8E4C0.