Color Palette Generator — Free Online Color Scheme Tool
Pick a base color and generate harmonious palettes — copy hex codes, HSL values, or CSS variables. Free, runs in your browser — no account needed.
#063075
hsl(217, 91%, 24%) · Dark
#0A54CD
hsl(217, 91%, 42%) · Shadow
#3C83F6
hsl(217, 91%, 60%) · Base
#94BBFA
hsl(217, 91%, 78%) · Tint
#D8E6FD
hsl(217, 91%, 92%) · Light
Export Palette
CSS Variables pastes a ready-to-use :root { } block.
How to Generate a Color Palette — Color Theory Explained
This color palette generator uses color theory to build harmonious color combinations from any base color. Pick a color with the color picker or type a hex code, choose a harmony rule, and copy the results into your project.
Harmony types
- 🎨Monochromatic — shades, tints, and tones of one hue. Safe, elegant, and versatile.
- ⚡Complementary — colors directly opposite on the wheel. Maximum contrast; great for call-to-action buttons.
- 🌿Analogous — adjacent hues on the wheel. Calm and cohesive; common in nature-inspired design.
- 🔺Triadic — three hues 120° apart. Vibrant and balanced; good for playful or bold brands.
- ✂️Split-complementary — softer alternative to complementary. Contrast without harshness.
- 🟦Tetradic — four hues at 90° intervals. Rich variety; let one color dominate to avoid chaos.
Related: Lorem Ipsum Generator for placeholder text when designing with your palette, or Case Converter for CSS variable naming conventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Color Palette Generator free?
Yes — completely free. No account and no data sent to a server.
Do I need an account?
No account, no login, and no signup required.
What is a hex color code?
A 6-character string (e.g. #3B82F6) representing red, green, and blue values in hexadecimal notation. Used universally in CSS, Figma, Sketch, and all design tools.
What is HSL and when should I use it?
HSL stands for Hue (0–360°, position on the color wheel), Saturation (0–100%, intensity), and Lightness (0–100%, brightness). HSL is more intuitive than RGB for design decisions — adjusting lightness to create tints and shades is much clearer in HSL than in hex.
How do I use the palette in my CSS?
Click "Copy CSS Variables" to copy a :root block with all palette colors as CSS custom properties. Paste it directly into your stylesheet and reference the variables throughout your code.
What is the difference between complementary and split-complementary?
Complementary uses two colors directly opposite on the color wheel — maximum contrast. Split-complementary uses the base color and two colors adjacent to its complement — similar contrast with less visual tension. Split-complementary is generally easier to use in design.