A user interface rarely fails because one color is ugly — it fails because colors do not work together. Color harmony has rules: complementary colors (opposite on the wheel) create energy, analogous colors (neighbors) create calm, triadic schemes balance vibrancy and order. Designers internalize these rules; generators apply them instantly.
This tool generates harmonious five-color palettes — randomly or from a base color you pick — and shows each color's HEX code ready to copy into your design system.
How to Use This Tool
- Generate a random palette, or set a base color to build around.
- Click any swatch to copy its HEX code.
- Lock colors you like and regenerate the rest.
- Use the 60-30-10 rule: dominant neutral, secondary color, vivid accent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are complementary and analogous colors?
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel (blue/orange) and create maximum contrast — great for accents. Analogous colors are adjacent (blue, teal, green) and feel naturally cohesive — great for backgrounds and calm interfaces.
How many colors should a UI palette have?
Fewer than beginners think: one primary, one accent, a success/error pair, and a scale of neutrals covers most products. The classic 60-30-10 distribution — 60% neutral, 30% primary, 10% accent — keeps interfaces readable.
How do I check my palette for accessibility?
Test text/background pairs against WCAG contrast ratios: 4.5:1 minimum for normal text, 3:1 for large text. A palette that fails contrast is a design problem regardless of how good it looks — adjust lightness, not just hue.