Free Online Color Palette Generator
Create stunning color palettes for your projects with ease. Select a base color and a harmony scheme to generate a cohesive set of colors in RGB, HEX, and HSL formats.
About This Color Palette Generator
I’ve been designing for over a decade, and one thing I’ve learned is that a good color palette can make or break a project. I created this tool to simplify the process of building harmonious palettes, whether you’re working on a website, app, or brand identity. It’s rooted in color theory but designed for practicality—pick a color, choose a harmony, and get a palette you can use right away in tools like Figma or CSS. The HEX, RGB, and HSL outputs ensure compatibility across digital platforms, and the intuitive interface saves you time.
How to Use the Palette Generator
Here’s my go-to process for creating palettes that clients rave about:
- Start with a Base Color: Use the color picker or type a HEX code (e.g., #10B981). I often pull a brand’s primary color to keep things consistent.
- Select a Harmony: Choose a scheme like analogous for a smooth vibe or complementary for bold contrast. I experiment with triadic for vibrant, balanced palettes.
- Generate the Palette: Click “Generate Palette” to see your colors. Each swatch shows HEX, RGB, and HSL values—click the HEX to copy it instantly.
- Apply and Test: Paste the values into your design tool or CSS. I always mock up the palette on a sample design to ensure it works in context.
Usage Examples from My Design Work
These are real ways I’ve used this tool to nail client projects:
- E-commerce Website: I used a coral base (#FF6B6B) with an analogous scheme to create a warm palette with pinks and oranges, making product pages feel inviting.
- Mobile App UI: Starting with a cool blue (#3B82F6), I picked a monochromatic scheme for button states and backgrounds, ensuring a clean, professional look.
- Event Branding: For a festival, I chose a purple base (#8B5CF6) and a triadic scheme to add yellow and green accents, creating a lively, cohesive brand kit.
- Social Media Graphics: I used a complementary scheme with a teal base (#14B8A6) paired with a coral red, making posts pop while staying on-brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best harmony for my project?
When I’m working with clients, I base this on the project’s mood. Analogous schemes (like blues and greens) create a calm, unified feel, great for wellness apps. Complementary schemes (like blue and orange) are bold and eye-catching, perfect for ads. Triadic schemes balance vibrancy, ideal for creative brands, while monochromatic schemes are subtle for minimalist designs. Play with a few options and mock them up to see what clicks.
Are these palettes safe for web and print?
Absolutely, but there’s a trick. These palettes use RGB-based formats (HEX, RGB, HSL), which are web-ready. For print, I convert to CMYK using a color management tool to avoid color shifts, as some RGB hues don’t translate perfectly. My advice? Always get a physical proof for print jobs to confirm the colors match your vision.
How can I make my palette accessible?
I learned this the hard way after a client flagged unreadable text. Use a contrast checker (like WebAIM’s) to ensure a 4.5:1 ratio for text and backgrounds. With this tool, I tweak the HSL lightness values to adjust contrast—higher lightness for backgrounds, lower for text. Test your palette on a mockup to catch any issues early.
Why do colors look different on other screens?
I’ve been burned by this before—a palette looked perfect on my monitor but off on a client’s phone. It’s usually due to screen calibration or color profiles (sRGB vs. Adobe RGB). For web, stick to sRGB, which this tool uses. I also test on multiple devices and include sRGB profiles in my files to keep colors consistent.
Can I export or save my palettes?
Right now, you can click any HEX value to copy it, which I find super quick for dropping into design tools. I usually save palettes in a Notion doc or Figma project. We’re exploring export options like JSON or PNG downloads—let us know if that’s something you’d love to see!
Harmony Types Reference
| Harmony | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Analogous | Colors next to each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue, teal, green) for a smooth, cohesive look. | Websites or apps needing a calm, unified aesthetic, like eco-friendly brands. |
| Complementary | Colors opposite on the color wheel (e.g., red and green) for high contrast and energy. | Marketing materials or CTAs where you want bold, attention-grabbing visuals. |
| Triadic | Three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel (e.g., red, yellow, blue) for balance and vibrancy. | Creative branding or playful app interfaces that need rich, dynamic colors. |
| Monochromatic | Variations of one hue with different lightness and saturation for a subtle, unified palette. | Minimalist UI designs or professional websites needing clean, consistent colors. |