Color Palette Generator
Generate HSL color harmonies (Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary) and Tailwind CSS 10-shade scale palettes online.
How do I use Color Palette Generator?
Pick a base brand color or click "Load Sample Data" to generate a full 50–950 shade scale and harmony palette.
Switch between color harmony algorithms (`Complementary`, `Analogous`, `Triadic`, `Split-Complementary`, `Shades`).
Export the palette as Tailwind CSS config, CSS Custom Properties (`--color-*`), or JSON.
What features does Color Palette Generator offer?
HSL Color Harmonies: Complementary, Monochromatic, Analogous, Triadic, Tetradic
Tailwind CSS 50 to 900 10-shade scale generator
Convert between HEX, RGB, and HSL color values
100% private in-browser conversion — zero server tracking
Color Wheel Harmonies & 50–950 Design Token Lightness Scale
Defines geometric hue rotation angles ($H^\circ$) and standard UI design system shade steps.
| Harmony Mode | Hue Angle Rotation (ΔH°) | Lightness / Chroma Rule | Primary UI System Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monochromatic Scale (50–950) | ΔH = 0° (Constant Hue) | L stepped from 97% (50) down to 14% (950) | Tailwind surface, border, and hover token scales |
| Complementary | ΔH = +180° | High visual contrast pair | Primary brand color + high-visibility CTA accent |
| Analogous | ΔH = -30°, 0°, +30° | Low-tension adjacent hues | Gradients, charts, and cohesive brand illustrations |
| Triadic | ΔH = 0°, +120°, +240° | Balanced 3-point color wheel triangle | Multi-series data visualizations & status badges |
| Split-Complementary | ΔH = 0°, +150°, +210° | High contrast without direct visual vibration | Accessible UI themes with dual accent colors |
Frequently Asked Questions about Color Palette Generator
Which shade steps on a 50–950 scale are safe for accessible body text?
On light backgrounds (`white` or `50`), shades `700`, `800`, `900`, and `950` consistently pass WCAG AA (`4.5:1`) contrast. Shades `400` and `500` should be reserved for borders, icons, or large headings (`≥18pt`).
Why does linearly stepping HSL lightness create muddy dark shades and washed-out pastels?
Pure linear HSL lightness interpolation loses chroma saturation near the extremes. Adjusting saturation along a parabolic curve (or interpolating in OKLCH space) keeps `100–200` tints crisp and `800–900` darks rich.
How do I use the exported CSS variables in Tailwind CSS v4?
Place the exported `--color-primary-50` through `--color-primary-950` tokens inside an `@theme { ... }` block in your main CSS file, and Tailwind v4 will automatically generate `bg-primary-500`, `text-primary-700`, and `border-primary-200` utilities.
Why should pure complementary colors (`180°`) not be used for text on background?
Placing a high-chroma complementary text color directly on its opposite hue at similar luminance causes chromostereopsis (visual edge vibration). Always separate them by at least `50%` lightness.
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