Color Palette Generator - Free Online Color Palette Tool
Generate beautiful color palettes instantly
Pick a base color
About this tool
Create harmonious color palettes from a single base color. Review HEX, RGB, and HSL values, experiment with different harmony types, and copy colors quickly for design or development work. Choosing a cohesive color palette is one of the most important aspects of design—whether you are creating a website, mobile app, brand identity, or graphic design. A well-chosen palette creates visual harmony and professional appearance, while a poor palette looks amateurish and can confuse users.
Our color palette generator takes one base color and instantly generates five complementary colors using different color theory principles. Choose from multiple harmony types: Complementary (opposite colors), Analogous (colors next to each other), Triadic (evenly spaced colors), Tetradic (two pairs of complements), and Split-Complementary (main color plus two variants).
Each generated color is displayed with HEX, RGB, and HSL values so you can use them in any design tool, website, or application. The tool also shows a preview of how the colors work together, helping you see if the palette suits your design vision before committing.
How to use this tool
Pick a base color
Click the color picker or paste a HEX code to select your primary color. This is the foundation for all generated colors.
Choose a harmony type
Select a color harmony (Complementary, Analogous, Triadic, etc.) to generate colors based on color theory principles.
Fine-tune if needed
Adjust hue, saturation, and brightness sliders to refine the palette. Generate new variations until you find one you like.
Copy colors for your project
Click any color to copy its HEX/RGB value, or select the entire palette to copy multiple colors at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a color harmony and why does it matter?
Color harmony is the pleasing arrangement of colors based on color theory. Different harmony types (complementary, analogous, triadic) create different visual effects. A harmonious palette looks professional and cohesive, while random colors look disjointed.
What's the difference between the harmony types?
Complementary = opposite colors (high contrast). Analogous = adjacent colors (calm). Triadic = three evenly spaced colors (balanced). Tetradic = four colors (complex). Split-Complementary = safer than complementary. Each creates a different mood.
Can I export palettes for use in design software?
Yes! You can copy individual color values in HEX, RGB, or HSL format and paste them directly into any design software like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch. Many tools also support importing colors via JSON or text.
How do I choose the right harmony type for my project?
For professional and safe palettes, use Analogous or Triadic. For high-impact designs, use Complementary. For complex layouts with many elements, use Tetradic. Experiment with each to see what fits your design vision.
Are there accessibility considerations with color palettes?
Yes. Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors for readability. Avoid using color alone to convey information—colorblind users won't see the distinction. Test your palette with contrast checking tools.