Pick colors.
Build palettes.
Interactive color wheel with 6 harmony modes, WCAG contrast checking, live UI preview, and one-click CSS export. No signup. No limits.
Two colors opposite on the wheel. Maximum contrast.
How the color wheel works
Pick a hue
Click anywhere on the color wheel ring to select your base hue. Drag to explore. Or type a hex code directly. The wheel uses the HSL color model -- Hue is the angle on the wheel, from 0 (red) through 120 (green) to 240 (blue) and back.
Choose a harmony
Select from 6 color harmony modes. Each mode calculates related colors based on their position on the wheel. Complementary gives you maximum contrast. Analogous gives you cohesion. Triadic gives you vibrancy. The markers on the wheel show exactly where each color sits.
Export and use
Copy your palette as CSS custom properties, hex values, or a shareable link. The live preview shows how your colors look on buttons, cards, and gradients. Contrast ratios against white and black tell you if your colors meet WCAG accessibility standards.
Understanding Color Harmonies
Color harmonies are combinations that work together because of their mathematical relationship on the color wheel. Each harmony type creates a different emotional response and visual effect. Choosing the right one is the difference between a site that feels intentional and one that feels random.
Complementary Colors
Two colors directly opposite each other on the wheel. Creates maximum contrast and visual tension. Best for call-to-action buttons against backgrounds, or accent elements that need to stand out. Use sparingly -- too much complementary contrast feels aggressive. Examples: blue and orange, red and green, yellow and purple.
Analogous Colors
Three colors that sit next to each other on the wheel. Creates natural, harmonious palettes that feel cohesive. The most common choice for professional websites. Works well for gradient transitions and section backgrounds. Low contrast means you need a neutral for text. Examples: blue, blue-green, and green.
Triadic Colors
Three colors equally spaced at 120-degree intervals on the color wheel. Creates vibrant, energetic palettes with good contrast. Works well for brands targeting younger audiences or creative industries. One color should dominate while the other two accent. Examples: red, yellow, and blue (the primary triad).
Split-Complementary Colors
A base color plus the two colors adjacent to its complement. Offers the contrast of complementary with less visual tension. Easier to work with than pure complementary because the secondary colors are less harsh against the primary. A good starting point for beginners who want contrast without the intensity of a pure complementary scheme.
Tetradic Color Scheme
Four colors forming a rectangle on the wheel (two complementary pairs). The richest palette type but the hardest to balance. Best when one color dominates and the other three play supporting roles. Common in editorial design, dashboards, and data visualization where you need distinct categories.
Monochromatic Color Palette
One hue in different shades, tints, and tones. The safest and most elegant option. Creates a polished, intentional feel. Apple, Stripe, and most luxury brands use monochromatic schemes. Add contrast with type weight and whitespace, not color variety.
Using color in web design
Color is not decoration. It is a functional layer that guides attention, communicates hierarchy, and triggers emotional responses. Every color choice you make on a website either helps or hurts conversion.
The 60-30-10 rule is the most practical framework for web color. 60% of your interface should be a dominant neutral (white, near-black, or a light gray). 30% should be a secondary color for cards, sections, and navigation. 10% should be your accent -- the color that draws attention to buttons, links, and key actions. Most conversion-optimized websites follow this ratio whether they know it or not.
Contrast and accessibility
WCAG 2.1 Level AA requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18px bold or 24px regular). Level AAA raises the bar to 7:1. These are not suggestions -- they are legal requirements in many jurisdictions. Our color wheel shows contrast ratios in real time so you never ship inaccessible color combinations.
Dark mode considerations
Dark interfaces are not just inverted light interfaces. Colors that look great on white backgrounds can feel harsh on dark backgrounds. Reduce saturation by 10-20% for dark mode. Avoid pure white text (#ffffff) on pure black (#000000) -- it causes halation. Use off-white (#e0e0e0 to #f0f0f0) on near-black (#121212 to #1a1a1a) for comfortable reading.
Color psychology in conversion
Blue conveys trust (banking, SaaS, healthcare). Green signals growth and approval (fintech, sustainability, CTAs). Orange creates urgency without the aggression of red (e-commerce, food delivery). Purple communicates luxury and creativity (beauty, premium brands). These associations are cultural and contextual -- test with your audience rather than assuming universal meaning.
Need a custom design system?
We build complete design systems for web applications -- color tokens, typography scales, component libraries, and dark mode support. From concept to production CSS.
Frequently asked questions
What is a color wheel?
What are complementary colors?
What is the difference between RGB and HSL?
How do I check color contrast for accessibility?
What color harmony is best for web design?
How many colors should a website use?
What is a monochromatic color scheme?
What are analogous colors?
What are split-complementary colors?
Can I export the color palette as CSS?
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