Generate Your Custom Color Palette
Your color palette will appear here
Click "Generate Palette" to create your first color scheme
Color Codes & Export Options
/* Select a palette to see HEX color codes *//* Select a palette to see RGB color codes *//* Select a palette to see HSL color codes *//* Select a palette to see CSS variables *//* Select a palette to see SASS variables */Your Saved Palettes
Understanding Color Harmony
Color harmony is the theory of combining colors in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Different palette types create different feelings and are suitable for different design projects. Proper color harmony can significantly improve user engagement and visual appeal of your designs.
The Color Wheel
The color wheel is a circular arrangement of colors organized by their chromatic relationship. It's a fundamental tool in color theory that helps designers create harmonious color combinations based on geometric relationships on the wheel.
Monochromatic
Uses various shades, tints, and tones of a single color. Creates a cohesive, harmonious look perfect for minimal designs and elegant interfaces. Monochromatic schemes are easy to manage and create a sense of visual cohesion.
Analogous
Uses colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. Creates a serene and comfortable design that works well for natural themes. Analogous color schemes are harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Complementary
Uses colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. Creates a high-contrast, vibrant look that's perfect for making elements stand out. Complementary colors create maximum contrast and maximum stability.
Split-Complementary
A variation of the complementary color scheme. Uses a base color and two colors adjacent to its complement. This provides high contrast but less tension than the complementary scheme.
Triadic
Uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. Creates a vibrant, balanced look even when using paler or unsaturated versions of your colors. Triadic color schemes offer vibrant contrast while maintaining harmony.
Tetradic (Rectangle)
Uses four colors arranged into two complementary pairs. Offers the richest color possibilities but can be overwhelming if not balanced properly. Works best when one color is dominant and others are used as accents.
Square
Uses four colors evenly spaced around the color wheel (like triadic, but with four colors). Creates a balanced, dynamic look with multiple accent possibilities. Similar to tetradic but with even spacing.
How to Create the Perfect Color Palette - Step by Step Guide
Choose a Palette Type
Select a palette type based on your project needs. Each type creates different feelings: monochromatic for elegance, complementary for vibrancy, analogous for harmony, triadic for balance, etc.
Select Your Base Color
Choose a starting color that represents your brand or project mood. This will be the foundation of your color palette. Use the color picker to select any color you prefer.
Adjust Number of Colors
Decide how many colors you need in your palette. For most projects, 3-5 colors is ideal: primary, secondary, and accent colors. More complex designs might need additional colors.
Fine-tune with Advanced Options
Adjust saturation and brightness to perfect your palette. Lower saturation creates more subtle, sophisticated palettes, while higher saturation produces more vibrant, energetic colors.
Save and Export
Save your favorite palettes for future reference. Export the color codes in your preferred format (HEX, RGB, HSL, CSS variables, or SASS variables) for immediate use in your projects.
Professional Color Tips from Designers
60-30-10 Color Rule
Apply the 60-30-10 rule to create balanced designs: use your primary color for 60% of the design, secondary color for 30%, and accent color for 10%. This creates visual hierarchy and balance.
Accessibility Matters
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors (minimum 4.5:1 ratio for normal text). This improves readability and makes your design accessible to users with visual impairments.
Consider Color Psychology
Different colors evoke different emotions: blue creates trust, red generates excitement, green suggests growth, purple implies luxury. Choose colors that align with your brand message and goals.
Test on Multiple Devices
Colors can appear differently across various screens and devices. Always test your palette on multiple devices to ensure consistency and proper display of your design.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right color palette for my website?
When choosing a color palette for your website, consider your brand identity, target audience, and the emotions you want to evoke. Start with your logo or brand colors as the base, then use color harmony principles to build a complementary palette. For websites, it's recommended to use 3-5 colors: a primary color, a secondary color, and 1-3 accent colors. Ensure sufficient contrast for readability and accessibility.
What's the difference between RGB, HEX, and HSL color codes?
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) defines colors as mixtures of red, green, and blue light (e.g., rgb(112, 0, 255)). HEX codes are hexadecimal representations of RGB values, commonly used in web design (e.g., #7000FF). HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) defines colors based on their position on the color wheel, saturation level, and lightness (e.g., hsl(270, 100%, 50%)). All three represent the same colors but in different formats used in various design contexts.
How many colors should I use in my design?
For most design projects, 3-5 colors is ideal. This typically includes a primary color (60% of your design), a secondary color (30%), and 1-3 accent colors (10% combined). Using too many colors can make your design look cluttered and unprofessional, while too few might make it boring. Complex projects like data visualizations might require more colors, but they should still form a cohesive palette.
Can I save my palettes permanently?
Yes, our color palette generator allows you to save your palettes locally in your browser using local storage. These palettes will remain available even when you close and reopen the browser. However, clearing your browser data will remove these saved palettes. For more permanent storage, we recommend using the export feature to download your palette data, or simply take a screenshot of your favorite color combinations.
What color harmony works best for professional websites?
For professional websites, monochromatic and analogous color schemes often work best as they create a cohesive, harmonious look that's not distracting. Monochromatic schemes (variations of a single color) convey elegance and professionalism. Analogous schemes (colors adjacent on the color wheel) create a serene, comfortable feeling. For corporate sites, blue-based palettes often perform well as blue conveys trust, reliability, and professionalism.