Color palette generator
Generate harmonious color palettes using color theory: complementary, triadic, analogous, monochromatic, or random. Pick a base color and copy hex codes.
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How to use
- Choose a harmony mode — start with Complementary for a bold two-tone palette.
- Pick a base color using the color picker or type a hex code.
- Click Generate palette to create 5 harmonious colors.
- Click any swatch's Copy button to copy its hex code, or Copy all for the full set.
- Click Random base to jump to an unexpected base color and explore.
Common use cases
- Brand identity — complementary palette for logo and accent colors.
- UI design — analogous palette for a calming, consistent interface.
- Data visualisation — triadic palette for distinct category colors.
- Dark mode — monochromatic palette with decreasing lightness for depth.
Also see: CSS Gradient Generator to turn palette colors into gradients, Color Converter for HEX/RGB/HSL conversion.
よくある質問
- What is a complementary color palette?
- Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. A complementary palette uses two colors 180° apart in hue, creating high contrast. It is useful for call-to-action buttons, highlighting, and bold brand identities.
- What is a triadic color palette?
- A triadic palette uses three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel (120° apart). It offers strong visual contrast while remaining balanced, and is popular in illustration and gaming UI.
- What is an analogous color palette?
- Analogous colors are adjacent on the color wheel (typically 30° apart). They create a harmonious, natural look with low contrast — ideal for backgrounds, nature themes, and relaxed interfaces.
- What is a monochromatic palette?
- A monochromatic palette uses a single hue with variations in lightness and saturation. It creates a clean, cohesive look and is well-suited for minimalist interfaces and data visualisations.
- How does the random palette work?
- The random mode generates 5 fully independent random hues with varied saturation and lightness, applying slight constraints to avoid muddy or unreadable colours.
- Can I start from a specific color?
- Yes. Use the color picker to choose a base color, then select a harmony mode. The palette is derived from that base using color theory rules.
- What color format is used?
- Palettes are displayed and copied in hex format (#RRGGBB). The underlying calculations use HSL for perceptually uniform adjustments.
- Can I use the palette in my CSS?
- Copy individual hex codes using the copy button under each swatch, or copy all hex codes at once. For CSS custom properties, paste the values into your :root {} block.