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Colour Palette Generator

Generate harmonious colour schemes. Lock colours you like and regenerate the rest. Press spacebar to shuffle.

Press Space to shuffle unlocked colours

CSS Variables
Hex Values

How to Use This Tool

Select a harmony mode — complementary, analogous, triadic, split-complementary, or monochromatic — and the tool generates a balanced 5-colour palette. Click the lock icon on any colour to keep it fixed while regenerating the others. Press spacebar or click "Generate" to shuffle unlocked colours.

You can also type a hex code directly into any colour slot to use your own brand colour as a starting point. Coming from the Brand Colour Extractor? Your colours will be pre-loaded automatically.

Choosing the Right Harmony for Your Brand

Each harmony mode creates a different feel. Complementary palettes (opposite colours on the wheel) create strong contrast and energy — great for brands that want to stand out. Analogous palettes (neighbouring colours) feel calm and cohesive — ideal for professional services. Triadic palettes offer balance with variety, while monochromatic palettes give a sophisticated, unified look.

For most small business websites, start with complementary or split-complementary. These give you enough contrast for clear calls to action while maintaining visual harmony.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a colour harmony?

Colour harmony refers to combinations of colours that are visually pleasing and balanced. These combinations are based on the relationships between colours on the colour wheel. Common harmonies include complementary (opposite colours), analogous (adjacent colours), triadic (three evenly spaced colours), and monochromatic (variations of a single hue).

How many colours should a brand palette have?

Most effective brand palettes use 3-5 colours: a primary colour (your main brand colour), a secondary colour (supporting), an accent colour (for calls to action and highlights), plus neutral colours for backgrounds and text. This gives enough variety for a complete website and marketing materials without becoming inconsistent.

What is the best colour scheme for a business website?

The best scheme depends on your industry and audience. Professional services (law, finance, healthcare) typically use complementary or monochromatic palettes for a clean, trustworthy feel. Creative businesses can use more vibrant triadic or split-complementary schemes. The key is consistency — pick a palette and use it everywhere.

How do I use the spacebar shortcut?

Press the spacebar to instantly generate a new palette variation. Locked colours stay the same while unlocked colours regenerate. This lets you quickly explore different combinations while keeping your preferred colours fixed.

Need a complete brand identity?

We create cohesive brand identities for small businesses — logos, colour palettes, typography, and brand guidelines. Get in touch to discuss your project.

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