Select the object’s color using the Direct Selection tool.
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Change colors to their inverse or complement
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn how to invert or apply complementary colors to your artwork in Adobe Illustrator using the Color panel or Edit Colors options.
The Invert option flips each color channel to its opposite value, while the Complement option calculates complementary RGB values based on a formula. These tools are useful for creating high-contrast designs or visual effects.
Change the inverse or complement of a single color
Select Window > Color.
Select an option from the Color panel menu :
- Invert: Changes each component of a color to the opposite value on the color scale. An R value of 100 becomes 155 (255 – 100 = 155).
- Complement: Changes each component of a color to a new value based on the sum of the highest and lowest RGB values in the selected color. A color with RGB values (102, 153, 51) has a sum of 204 (153 + 51). The new RGB values would be Red: 204 – 102 = 102, Green: 204 – 153 = 51, and Blue: 204 – 51 = 153
Invert multiple colors
Select the Direct Selection tool and Shift + click the objects to invert their colors.
Select Edit > Edit Colors > Invert Colors.
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