Color Palette Generator
Pick a base color and instantly generate harmonious palettes using color theory — complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, and split-complementary schemes. Export as HEX, RGB, or HSL for direct use in CSS.
Instant Results
Runs entirely in your browser
Privacy First
No data leaves your device
Free Forever
No signup or payment required
About Color Palette Generator
## Color Theory Basics
**Color harmony** is the theory of combining colors in a way that is pleasing to the eye. It's based on the relationships between colors on the **color wheel**.
### Harmony types
| Scheme | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| **Complementary** | Two colors opposite on the wheel — high contrast |
| **Analogous** | Three adjacent colors — harmonious and calm |
| **Triadic** | Three evenly spaced colors — vibrant and balanced |
| **Split-complementary** | Base + two adjacent to its complement — less tension |
| **Tetradic** | Four colors in two complementary pairs — rich palette |
### Practical tips
- Use **60-30-10 rule**: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, 10% accent
- Test palettes for **WCAG contrast** — ensure text readability (4.5:1 minimum for normal text)
- Consider **color blindness** — avoid relying solely on red/green to convey meaning
- Use **HSL** for intuitive adjustments: change lightness for tints/shades, saturation for vibrancy
### Color formats
- **HEX** (`#FF5733`) — most common in CSS, 6-digit RGB shorthand
- **RGB** (`rgb(255, 87, 51)`) — additive color model, 0-255 per channel
- **HSL** (`hsl(11, 100%, 60%)`) — hue/saturation/lightness, most human-readable
Why Use VTX Labs?
Related Tools
Color Converter
Convert colors between HEX, RGB, and HSL formats with a live preview.
Aspect Ratio Calculator
Calculate and convert aspect ratios. Find dimensions, resize proportionally.
Image to Base64
Convert images to Base64 data URIs for embedding in HTML or CSS.
Lorem Pixel
Generate CSS grid/flexbox placeholder layouts for quick prototyping.
Ready to try Color Palette Generator?
Free, open, and runs entirely in your browser.
Open Color Palette Generator