Color Palette Generator

Generate color palettes from a base color or image. Enter a color or upload an image to get a palette.

Color Palette Generation

Starting from a base color, this tool generates complementary colors for a cohesive palette. Choose a color scheme - analogous, complementary, triadic, etc. - and get colors that work well together.

Useful for designers picking brand colors, UI color systems, or any project needing a harmonious color set without deep color theory knowledge.

Color Schemes

  • Analogous: Adjacent colors on the wheel
  • Complementary: Opposite colors
  • Triadic: Three evenly spaced colors
  • Monochromatic: Shades of one color

Understanding Color Theory

Color palettes are based on color theory principles. Complementary colors sit opposite on the color wheel and create high contrast. Analogous colors are neighbors and create harmony. Triadic palettes use three evenly-spaced colors for balanced variety. Understanding these relationships helps create visually appealing designs that convey the right mood and brand identity.

Colors are represented in different formats: HEX (#FF5733) for web development, RGB (255, 87, 51) for screens, HSL (12, 100%, 60%) for intuitive adjustments, and CMYK for print. Each serves different purposes. Our generator provides HEX codes, which are the standard for web development and easily converted to other formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colors should a palette have?

Most design systems use 5-7 colors: a primary color, secondary color, accent color, and variations for backgrounds, text, and states. The 60-30-10 rule suggests using your dominant color 60%, secondary 30%, and accent 10%.

How do I ensure color accessibility?

Text must have sufficient contrast against its background'WCAG recommends 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Tools like WebAIM's contrast checker verify this. Never rely on color alone to convey information; use patterns or labels too.

What's the difference between HEX and RGB?

Both represent the same colors'HEX is hexadecimal (base 16), RGB is decimal (base 10). #FF5733 equals RGB(255, 87, 51). HEX is more compact for CSS; RGB allows easier programmatic manipulation. Modern CSS also supports rgba() for transparency.

What makes colors work well together?

Color harmony follows predictable patterns: complementary colors (opposites on the wheel) create contrast, analogous colors (neighbors) create cohesion, triadic colors (evenly spaced) create balanced variety. Understanding these relationships helps create visually pleasing designs.

How do I pick a primary brand color?

Consider color psychology: blue conveys trust, red energy, green nature/growth, purple luxury. Research competitors to differentiate. Test across contexts (print, digital, different backgrounds). Ensure it works in both light and dark modes. Start with what represents your brand's personality.

What's HSL and when should I use it?

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is intuitive for adjusting colors: change hue to shift colors, saturation for vibrancy, lightness for brightness. It's easier than RGB for creating color variations. Modern CSS supports hsl(), making it great for creating consistent color scales.