Color Palette Generator
Generate harmonious color palettes from a base color.
How to use this tool
- Pick a base color using the color picker.
- Select a palette type (complementary, analogous, triadic, split, or monochromatic).
- Click 'Generate Palette' to create your color scheme.
- Click on any color to copy its hex code.
- Use 'Copy All' to copy the entire palette.
About this tool
Color Palette Generator is an online, free tool that creates harmonious color schemes based on color theory. No registration required! Complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel, providing high contrast. Analogous colors are adjacent, creating serene designs. Triadic uses three evenly spaced colors for vibrant schemes. Split-complementary offers contrast with less tension. Monochromatic uses variations of a single hue for elegant designs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose colours that work together?
Start from one colour you are committed to, then let geometry do the rest. Each palette type here picks the others by their position on the colour wheel relative to your base, which is why the results look deliberate rather than assembled.
What is the difference between complementary, analogous and triadic?
Complementary takes the colour directly opposite yours, giving maximum contrast and energy. Analogous takes its immediate neighbours, which is calm and cohesive because the hues barely disagree. Triadic takes two colours evenly spaced a third of the wheel away, which stays vivid while remaining balanced.
When should I use a monochromatic palette?
When you want the design to feel unified and the content to carry the interest. A single hue at several lightness levels never clashes with itself, which makes it a safe choice for dashboards, documents and anything text-heavy. The risk is flatness, so vary the lightness more than feels necessary.
What is split-complementary for?
It takes the two colours either side of your complement instead of the complement itself. You keep most of the contrast of a complementary scheme but lose the visual tension that makes two exact opposites vibrate against each other. It is the usual recommendation for anyone unsure which scheme to pick.
How many colours should a palette have?
Fewer than you think. One dominant colour, one accent and a neutral ramp covers most interfaces. A useful proportion is roughly 60 per cent dominant, 30 per cent secondary and 10 per cent accent, with the accent reserved for things you actually want people to click.
Do generated palettes meet accessibility requirements?
Not automatically. Colour harmony and colour contrast are different problems, and two harmonious colours can be nearly identical in luminance. Check any text-on-background pairing with the Contrast Checker before you commit to it.