Color Palette Generator

Build harmonious color schemes from any base color.

Click any swatch to copy its HEX code.

What Does the Color Palette Generator Do?

Pick one base color and this generator builds a complete, harmonious five-color palette using classic color-theory schemes: complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, split-complementary, monochromatic and shades. Every swatch shows its HEX code, copies with a single click, and the whole palette is exported as ready-to-paste CSS custom properties. A random button explores fresh starting colors when you need inspiration.

How to Build a Palette

  1. Choose your base color with the picker (or hit 🎲 Random).
  2. Select a scheme — the palette updates instantly.
  3. Click any swatch to copy its HEX code.
  4. Copy the generated :root { --color-1: … } CSS block to drop the whole palette into a project.

Which Scheme Should You Choose?

  • Complementary — the base plus its opposite on the color wheel; maximum contrast, great for call-to-action buttons against a brand color.
  • Analogous — neighbors on the wheel; serene, natural-feeling combinations for backgrounds and gradients.
  • Triadic / Tetradic — three or four evenly spaced hues; vibrant and balanced, good for illustrations and dashboards that need several distinct accents.
  • Split-complementary — contrast without the harshness of a straight complement; a safe pick for beginners.
  • Monochromatic / Shades — one hue at different lightness levels; the backbone of clean UI design systems (hover states, borders, backgrounds).

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the schemes calculated?

The base color is converted to HSL, then the hue is rotated by the scheme's angles (180° for complementary, ±30/60° for analogous, 120° steps for triadic…) and lightness is varied for the supporting tints. It is the same math taught in color theory, automated.

How many colors should a UI palette actually use?

A common recipe is 60-30-10: a dominant neutral (60%), a secondary color (30%) and an accent (10%). Generate a scheme, pick one hue as dominant and use the others sparingly.

Can I use these palettes for accessibility-critical text?

Palette harmony does not guarantee readable contrast. After choosing text/background pairs, verify them with our Contrast Checker against WCAG AA (4.5:1 for body text).

Why do swatch labels switch between black and white?

The generator computes each swatch's luminance and picks the label color with better contrast — the same technique you should use for text on colored buttons.