What characteristic do white, black, and gray have in common?

White, black, and gray are often considered neutral colors, and they possess the distinctive characteristic of having no hues. Unlike primary colors or other colors on the color wheel, which have specific wavelengths of light associated with them, these neutral tones do not correspond to any particular position on the spectrum of visible light.

White can be seen as the presence of all colors of light, while black is the absence of light entirely, and gray is a mixture of black and white. This lack of intrinsic hue makes them unique when discussing color theory, as they often serve as a backdrop for more vibrant colors and can enhance or mute the appearance of other colors nearby. In contrast, primary colors are the building blocks of other colors, and warm colors typically refer to those that evoke warmth, such as reds and yellows, which have distinct hues.