What is Color Palette Generator?
Color Palette Generator creates a set of harmonious colors from a single base color you choose, using six classical color-theory schemes. Pick any hex or use the native color picker, and six schemes update instantly — each with full-width swatches and one-click copy.
Color theory says colors relate predictably on the wheel. The generator does the math so you get harmonious palettes without memorizing 360° of hue arithmetic.
The Six Color Schemes
Complementary
Two colors opposite on the wheel. Maximum contrast. Great for CTAs and focus elements.
Analogous
Three neighboring colors. Calm, cohesive, natural-looking. Ideal for backgrounds and gradients.
Triadic
Three equally spaced colors (120° apart). Vibrant and balanced — works well for illustration.
Tetradic
Four colors at 90° spacing (a square on the wheel). Maximum variety, harder to balance.
Split-Complementary
Base color + two colors flanking its complement. High contrast with less tension than complementary.
Monochromatic
One hue at five lightness levels. Always cohesive. Best for minimal, single-brand UIs.
How to Use Color Palette Generator
Pick a base color
Click the color swatch to open the native picker, or type any hex value like #3B82F6.
Choose a scheme
Click one of the six scheme buttons — Complementary, Analogous, Triadic, etc.
Preview the palette
Full-width swatches appear instantly. Hover any swatch to see its hex code.
Copy colors
Click any individual swatch to copy its hex. Click 'Copy all' for the full list.
Choosing the Right Scheme
| Goal | Best Scheme |
|---|---|
| Strong button/CTA contrast | Complementary |
| Calm landing page background | Analogous |
| Brand with 3 accent colors | Triadic |
| Minimal / single-brand UI | Monochromatic |
| High contrast without tension | Split-Complementary |
| Rich multi-color design | Tetradic |
Tips & Common Mistakes
Start monochromatic. If you’re unsure, start with monochromatic and your brand color. You’ll get a guaranteed-cohesive set of tints and shades for backgrounds, borders, and text.
Avoid tetradic on first try. Four colors is a lot to balance. Use it only once you have clear roles for each color (primary, secondary, accent, warning).
Test against real UI. A palette can look great as swatches but clash in context. Paste your hex codes into a design tool and try them on actual buttons, cards, and backgrounds before committing.
Related Tools
- Color Picker — eyedrop any color from an image
- Color Converter — convert hex to RGB, HSL, HSV
- Contrast Checker — verify WCAG accessibility ratios
- CSS Gradient Generator — build gradients from palette colors