Using lattice Monte Carlo simulations of SU(3) pure gauge theory, we determine the spatial distribution of all components of the color fields created by a static quark and antiquark. We identify the components of the measured chromoelectric field transverse to the line connecting the quark–antiquark pair with the transverse components of an effective Coulomb-like field $$\mathbf {E}^C $$ EC associated with the quark sources. Subtracting $$\mathbf {E}^C$$ EC from the total simulated chromoelectric field $$\mathbf {E}$$ E yields a non-perturbative, primarily longitudinal chromoelectric field $$\mathbf {E}^{\textit{NP}}$$ ENP , which we identify as the confining field. This is the first time that the chromoelectric field has been separated into perturbative and nonperturbative components, creating a new tool to study the color field distribution between a quark and an antiquark, and thus the long distance force between them.