Free Color Palette Generator
Create harmonious color schemes from any base color in seconds.
Pick a color or enter a hex code, then generate a five-color palette with tints, shades, complementary, and analogous hues. Copy hex codes, RGB values, or export as CSS custom properties. No account needed, no limits.
rgb(249, 115, 22)
rgb(242, 159, 100)
rgb(190, 78, 0)
rgb(22, 156, 249)
rgb(249, 229, 22)
How to Use This Color Palette Generator
- 1. Pick a base color — Use the color picker or type a hex code directly into the input field. This base color acts as the seed from which the entire palette is generated. You can also enter a keyword like "ocean" or "sunset" to start from a curated starting point.
- 2. Choose a harmony mode — Select from complementary, analogous, triadic, split-complementary, or monochromatic harmony rules. Each mode applies a different color-theory algorithm to produce a five-color palette that naturally looks balanced and cohesive.
- 3. Fine-tune individual swatches — Click any swatch in the generated palette to adjust its hue, saturation, or lightness independently. The tool recalculates contrast ratios in real time so you can verify WCAG accessibility compliance before committing to a color.
- 4. Export your palette — Copy hex codes, RGB values, or HSL values with one click. You can also export the full palette as CSS custom properties, a Tailwind config snippet, or a JSON object ready for your design system. Everything is free with no sign-up required.
Why Use Our Color Palette Generator?
Completely free, no account needed — Generate unlimited color palettes without creating an account or entering your email. There are no premium tiers, no usage limits, and no watermarks. The tool runs entirely in your browser, keeping your design explorations private and fast.
Built on real color theory — The generator uses mathematically precise harmony algorithms rather than random sampling. Every palette follows established color-theory principles — complementary, analogous, triadic, and more — so the results look intentional and professional right out of the box.
Accessibility-aware output — Each swatch displays its contrast ratio against white and dark backgrounds, helping you choose colors that meet WCAG AA or AAA guidelines. Designing for accessibility from the start saves expensive redesign work later and ensures your product reaches the widest possible audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the color palette generator work?
You provide a single base color — either by picking it visually or entering a hex code. The tool then applies a selected harmony rule (such as complementary or analogous) to calculate four additional colors that pair naturally with your base. The math is based on rotating hue angles on the HSL color wheel while adjusting saturation and lightness to maintain visual balance.
Is this tool really free to use?
Yes, 100%. There is no sign-up, no trial period, and no feature gating. You can generate and export as many palettes as you want. The tool is supported by our broader OneToTwenty platform, so individual tools like this one remain free for everyone.
Can I export palettes for Tailwind CSS or Figma?
Absolutely. The export panel supports CSS custom properties, Tailwind color config objects, JSON, and plain hex lists. For Figma, copy the hex values and paste them into your color styles. We plan to add direct Figma plugin support in a future update.
What color harmony modes are available?
The generator offers complementary, analogous, triadic, split-complementary, tetradic, and monochromatic harmony modes. Each mode generates a palette with distinct visual characteristics — for example, complementary pairs high-contrast opposites, while analogous groups neighboring hues for a softer, cohesive feel.
Does the tool check color contrast for accessibility?
Yes. Every swatch shows its contrast ratio against both a white (#FFFFFF) and a dark (#1A1A1A) background. Ratios that meet WCAG AA (4.5:1 for normal text) are highlighted in green, and those meeting AAA (7:1) are marked separately. This lets you quickly verify that your chosen colors will be readable for users with visual impairments.
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