How to Use the Color Palette Generator
This free color palette generator turns a single starting color into a complete, harmonious scheme using classic color-theory math. Pick a base color with the wheel, the hue slider, or by typing a hex code, then choose a harmony rule to instantly see a matching set of colors. Every swatch can be copied to your clipboard with one click, ready to paste straight into CSS, Tailwind, Figma, or any design tool.
- Choose a base color — drag the dot on the color wheel, move the hue slider, type a six-digit hex value, or use the native color picker in the top bar.
- Select a harmony rule — open the “Color Harmony” dropdown and pick the relationship you want (complementary, analogous, triadic, and more).
- Copy your colors — hover a swatch in the palette strip to reveal its hex code, then click to copy it.
- Check accessibility — use the built-in WCAG contrast checker above to confirm your text and background colors are readable.
- Explore variations — scan the “All Harmony Palettes” grid to compare every rule for your base color, or start from one of the curated palettes.
The Seven Color Harmony Rules
Color harmonies describe how hues relate to one another on the color wheel. Each rule produces a different mood and level of contrast:
- Complementary — two hues directly opposite each other (180° apart). Maximum contrast and energy; great for calls to action.
- Analogous — neighboring hues (about 30° apart). Calm, cohesive, and natural-looking.
- Triadic — three hues evenly spaced 120° apart. Vibrant yet balanced.
- Split-Complementary — a base color plus the two hues flanking its complement. Strong contrast with less tension than pure complementary.
- Tetradic — four hues forming a rectangle on the wheel. Rich and varied; works best with one dominant color.
- Square — four hues evenly spaced 90° apart. Bold and balanced with equal visual weight.
- Monochromatic — a single hue at varying lightness and saturation. Elegant, clean, and easy to apply.
Checking Color Contrast for Accessibility
A beautiful palette still needs to be readable. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define minimum contrast ratios between text and its background: 4.5:1 for normal body text and 3:1 for large text to meet the AA level, and 7:1 for the stricter AAA level. The contrast checker on this page calculates the exact ratio between any two colors and shows whether they pass AA or AAA, so you can adjust your palette before it ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the color palette generator free?
Yes. The tool is completely free for both personal and commercial projects, with no sign-up required.
What color formats does it support?
You can enter and copy colors as hex codes, and each generated color is calculated from its underlying HSL and RGB values.
Which harmony rule should I use?
Use complementary or split-complementary for high-impact accents, analogous or monochromatic for calm and cohesive interfaces, and triadic or square when you need a richer, multi-color scheme.