# Color Palette Generator

> Free color palette generator: enter a base color to get harmonious 5-color palettes (complementary, analogous, triadic, monochromatic or random) with one-click hex copy.

Enter a base color and get a harmonious 5-color palette instantly: complementary, analogous, triadic, monochromatic, or random. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.

*Interactive tool: enter your values at https://toollantern.win/color-palette-generator/ and results update instantly in your browser.*

## What this tool does

The generator builds a 5-color palette from your base color using classic color-wheel harmony rules. Pick the harmony type, and the five swatches update live as you change the base color. Clicking a swatch copies its hex code.

## The harmony rules

- **Complementary:** your hue plus the hue directly opposite on the wheel (180 deg away), in light and dark variants. High contrast, energetic.

- **Analogous:** hues 30 and 60 degrees on either side of yours. Calm and cohesive, found in nature.

- **Triadic:** three hues spaced 120 degrees apart. Balanced and vibrant.

- **Monochromatic:** one hue at five lightness levels. The safest choice, always harmonious.

- **Random:** five hues with pleasant saturation and lightness, using real randomness from your browser's crypto generator.

## Worked example

Base **#3B82F6** (blue, hue 217 deg). Complementary gives blues plus its opposite at **hue 37 deg** (orange): a classic blue-and-orange pairing used in countless logos and movie posters.

## Using a palette in design

A common split: one dominant color for backgrounds, one accent for buttons and links, and the rest for text, borders and states. Check text colors against backgrounds with our contrast checker before shipping.

## Limitations

Harmony rules are starting points, not guarantees: context, proportions and brightness change how a palette feels. Always preview palettes in the actual design.

## Frequently asked questions
### How do I generate a color palette?

Enter a base color with the picker or a hex code, then choose a harmony type. Five swatches appear instantly; click any swatch to copy its hex code.

### What is the difference between complementary and analogous palettes?

Complementary pairs your color with its opposite on the color wheel for maximum contrast. Analogous uses neighboring hues for a calm, unified feel.

### Which palette type is safest for beginners?

Monochromatic. One hue at several lightness levels cannot clash, and it looks professional with almost no effort.

### Are the random palettes truly random?

Yes. Random mode uses crypto.getRandomValues, your browser's cryptographic random generator, the same source of randomness used for security keys.

### How do I copy a palette color?

Click any swatch. Its hex code is copied to your clipboard, ready to paste into CSS or a design tool.

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Interactive version: https://toollantern.win/color-palette-generator/