Color Palette Generator
Generate complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic and other color harmonies.
Generate complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic and other color harmonies.
This free Color Palette Generator from KX Toolkit is part of our all-in-one online toolkit. It runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device for client-side operations. 100% free, forever - no paywall, no credit card, no trial.
How to use the Color Palette Generator
- Pick or paste your base color (HEX, RGB or HSL).
- Run the conversion or palette generation.
- Preview the result on light and dark backgrounds.
- Copy the values into your design tokens or CSS.
What you can do with the Color Palette Generator
- Build accessible palettes that pass WCAG contrast.
- Convert between color models for design vs code.
- Find harmonious palettes from a brand color.
- Audit existing screens for contrast issues.
Why use KX Toolkit's Color Palette Generator
- Browser-based: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android - no install, no extension.
- Privacy-first: Client-side tools never upload your data; server-side tools delete files right after processing.
- Mobile-friendly: Full feature parity on phones and tablets - not a stripped-down view.
- Fast: Optimised for instant feedback. No artificial waiting screens, no email-gated downloads.
- One hub for everything: 300+ tools across SEO, text, image, PDF, code, color, calculators and more - skip switching between sites.
Tips for the best results
Always check text contrast at the actual font weight - large bold text only needs 3:1, while small body copy needs 4.5:1.
Related Color Tools
If you find this tool useful, explore the full Color Tools collection or browse our complete tool directory. KX Toolkit is built for marketers, developers, designers, students and anyone who needs a quick utility without signing up for yet another SaaS.
What is the difference between complementary, analogous, and triadic palettes?
Complementary palettes use two colors directly opposite on the color wheel, creating high contrast and vibrancy. Analogous palettes use three to five colors next to each other, producing a calm and cohesive look. Triadic palettes use three colors evenly spaced 120 degrees apart, offering balance with strong visual interest. Each harmony rule serves different design goals, from bold accents to soft, unified compositions.
When should I use a tetradic or square color scheme?
Tetradic, also called rectangular, uses four colors arranged in two complementary pairs, while square palettes space four colors evenly at 90 degrees. Both offer rich variety but require careful balance because four strong colors can compete. Designers typically choose one as the dominant color and use the others as accents. These schemes work well in editorial design, illustrations, and brands that want to feel playful, colorful, and energetic.
Are color harmony rules strict laws or just guidelines?
Color harmony rules are guidelines rooted in centuries of art theory, but they are not absolute. Many memorable brands break the rules deliberately for distinct identities. Use harmonies as a strong starting point, especially when you lack a specific direction, then adjust to match brand personality, audience, and context. The rules help you avoid clashing combinations, but creativity often lives in the controlled exceptions.
How do I choose a base color to build my palette from?
Start with the color that carries the most meaning for your brand or project. This is often the primary brand color, a logo color, or a hue that matches the emotional tone you want. Once chosen, the harmony rules generate compatible companions automatically. If you have no constraints, pick a saturated color in the 30 to 70 percent saturation range, since extreme values can be hard to pair harmoniously.
Can I use these palettes for both web and print?
Yes, but be aware of color space differences. Web uses RGB, while print uses CMYK, and not every RGB color reproduces accurately in CMYK. Vibrant blues, greens, and oranges can shift noticeably when printed. If your palette is destined for print, convert key colors to CMYK and verify on a calibrated proof. For web only, RGB and HEX values from the generator are the right format to use directly.
How many colors from a generated harmony should I actually use?
Even if a generator gives you five or six colors, most successful designs use a 60-30-10 ratio: 60 percent dominant, 30 percent secondary, and 10 percent accent. So even a tetradic palette often resolves to one or two primary colors with the others as small highlights. Treat extra colors as a flexible toolkit rather than a mandate to use every swatch in every screen or composition.
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