Huey, Dewey, and Louie are Donald Duck's identical triplet nephews, created by Ted Osborne and Al Taliaferro, who first appeared in a 1937 comic strip and the 1938 animated short Donald's Nephews. They are typically identified by the primary colors red, blue, and green. According to Disney archivist Dave Smith, Huey is associated with red (the brightest hue), Dewey with blue (the color of water), and Louie with green (the color of leaves).

Initially created to provoke Donald's temper, the nephews' characters were further developed by Carl Barks and Harry Reeves to subvert patriarchal standards, portraying them as more competent and mature than Donald. Barks incorporated them into his comic stories, often accompanying Scrooge McDuck on adventures. He envisioned them as "the brains of the place," recontextualizing their trickster behavior as self-defense. They are also members of the Junior Woodchucks, using their guidebook to solve problems. Barks' works inspired the 1987 animated series DuckTales and its extended franchise.

Throughout most appearances, the nephews were largely indistinguishable beyond their color-coded apparel. However, the 2017 DuckTales reboot defined them as individual personalities: Huey as the mature eldest, Dewey as the attention-seeking middle child, and Louie as a treasure-obsessed loafer.

The nephews are sons of Donald's sister, Della Duck (originally named Dumbella in Donald's Nephews). They were initially sent to visit Donald temporarily. In the comics, it was until their father returned from the hospital (after a prank involving firecrackers). Their parents were never heard from again, leading the boys to live with Donald permanently in Duckburg, Calisota, consistent with Disney's removal of kid characters' parents.

In theatrical shorts, Huey, Dewey, and Louie often behaved rambunctiously, retaliating against Donald. In the comics, they were depicted as more well-behaved, helping Donald and Scrooge, influenced by their membership in the Junior Woodchucks and Grandma Duck. While they share similarities, like craftiness and a joy in tormenting Donald, each has a distinct character trait inspired by real-life sibling dynamics: Huey is responsible, Dewey seeks attention, and Louie prefers a lazy lifestyle. Despite rivalries, they deeply love their uncle.

The nephews have white feathers, amber bills, webbed feet, and light blue eyes (often simply black). Their shirts are colored red (Huey), blue (Dewey), and green (Louie). They are typically depicted as children no older than 10. The 2017 DuckTales reboot updated their clothing to differentiate them further: Huey wears a red polo shirt, Dewey wears a long-sleeved shirt under his T-shirt, and Louie wears a green hoodie. These traits had a large impact on their personalities in the DuckTales reboot.

In the 2017 DuckTales, Huey is the eldest, most responsible, and tactical. He values safety and is a dedicated Junior Woodchuck. Dewey, obsessed with standing out, seeks attention through death-defying adventures. His full name is Dewford Dingus Duck. Louie is the most laid-back, crafty, and intelligent, preferring treasure but avoids working for it, resorting to "get-rich-quick" schemes. Though mischievous, Louie has a moral compass and is the most vulnerable of the triplets.

Originally, the nephews shared the same "duck speech" voice as Donald, provided by Clarence Nash. Later, the effort was made to make them more intelligible. Russi Taylor voiced them in most roles until her death in 2019. Tony Anselmo also voiced them, using the same voice as Donald but higher-pitched. In Quack Pack and the DuckTales reboot, each boy has a distinct voice: Jeannie Elias (Huey), Pamela Adlon (Dewey), and E.G. Daily (Louie) in Quack Pack, and Danny Pudi (Huey), Ben Schwartz (Dewey), and Bobby Moynihan (Louie) in the DuckTales reboot.

The idea of Donald's nephews came from Al Taliaferro, with their names devised by Dana Coty, inspired by Huey Long, Thomas Dewey, and Louis Schmitt. Their first comic appearance was in 1937, followed by the animated short Donald's Nephews in 1938, portraying them as wily and mischievous.

Over 27 theatrical short cartoons, Huey, Dewey, and Louie were among Donald Duck's most frequent adversaries. They were interchangeable, with the same appearance, traits, and voices. Throughout the late '40s and 1950s, all three nephews wore red. Their relationship with Donald became more domesticated. In 1942's The New Spirit, Donald listed the boys as his dependents on his tax form.

After the theatrical shorts, they appeared in 1967's Scrooge McDuck and Money and 1983's Mickey's Christmas Carol. DuckTales debuted in 1987, centering on Scrooge's adventures with the nephews under his care, establishing their trademark colors. In 1996, they starred in Quack Pack as teenagers. The 2017 DuckTales reboot developed the nephews into individual characters and established their birth order.

In DuckTales, the boys appeared in adventures with Scrooge McDuck, their personalities based on their comic book appearances. They formed bonds with characters like Launchpad McQuack, Gyro Gearloose, Mrs. Beakley, and Webby Vanderquack. They also faced enemies like Magica De Spell and the Beagle Boys. In 1990, they starred in DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp.

In Quack Pack, they were portrayed as teenagers with distinct personalities. Some episodes featured them as superheroes known as "The T-Squad". In Mickey Mouse Works, they battled Donald, voiced by Tony Anselmo. They also appeared in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, House of Mouse, and Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.

In the Mickey Mouse series, they appeared in various episodes, including "Black and White" and "Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special". In the DuckTales reboot, they had distinct appearances, voices, and personalities, influenced by Scrooge. The series focused on each triplet in different seasons, revealing their mother Della Duck's absence.

The nephews have made cameos in various films and television shows, including The Mickey Mouse Club, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue. In comics, they play major roles in stories with Donald and Scrooge, belonging to the Junior Woodchucks. Don Rosa subtly referenced their parents' fate. In 2014's 80 is Prachtig, it was explained that Della left her children for a space trip.

Huey, Dewey, and Louie have appeared in video games such as DuckTales, Disney's Magical Quest 3, Mickey's Racing Adventure, Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers!, and the Kingdom Hearts series. They also feature in Disney Parks, with appearances and attractions at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Cruise Line.

A few comics feature a fourth nephew, Phooey, who appeared in the 2017 DuckTales reboot as a dream construct.

Typical of cartoon characters, Huey, Dewey, and Louie rarely age. They are descendants of the Duck, Coot, and McDuck families. In "The Secret(s) of Castle McDuck!", their birth date is revealed as April 15, 20--, placing their age between 10-12.