Color Harmony Generator

Q: Which harmony types should I use for dashboards vs branding?

Dashboards: square/tetradic for four distinct hues. Branding: analogous for cohesion, complementary for pop.

Q: What does the Spread slider do?

It sets the angular distance between companion hues for Analogous and Split-Complementary.

Q: How do the Saturation and Light sliders help?

Use them to refine intensity and brightness so palettes look balanced in real UI.

Q: Is this tool suitable for accessibility work?

Yes for hue planning, but always check contrast with a WCAG contrast checker.

Q: Can I export these colors into code?

Copy CSS variables or download JSON to use in tokens and themes.

Q: How many colors should a palette have?

Five works well for apps; use six to eight for charts.

Q: What’s the difference between Tetradic and Square?

Square is four hues 90° apart; Tetradic is a rectangle with two complementary pairs.

Start with a base color, then explore analogous, complementary, split‑complementary, triadic, tetradic, square, and monochromatic palettes. Copy ready‑to‑use HEX values and CSS variables, preview on UI, and export JSON.

Preview card

Use these colors for UI states, charts, and accents. This box helps you see them together in context.

Color Harmony — FAQs

Which harmony types should I use for dashboards vs branding?

For **dashboards and charts**, square and tetradic schemes give you four distinct hues that still relate to each other. For **branding**, analogous palettes feel calm and cohesive, while complementary pairs pop for CTAs. When in doubt, start with analogous for a base UI and add a single complementary accent for emphasis.

What does the Spread slider do?

Spread controls how far companion hues sit from your base hue. A **smaller spread (10–20°)** keeps colors closer (subtle, safe). A **larger spread (40–60°)** adds energy and contrast. It applies to Analogous and Split‑Complementary; the geometric harmonies (Triadic, Tetradic, Square) use fixed angles.

How do the Saturation and Light sliders help?

Real interfaces need more than hue. After picking a scheme, nudge **Saturation** and **Lightness** so chips don’t all shout or fade. A tiny desaturation (−10 to −20) often makes professional‑looking palettes that are easier on the eyes.

Is this tool suitable for accessibility work?

Harmony ≠ contrast. Use this to choose **which hues** play together, then verify text and icon contrast with a contrast checker. If two colors are too close in lightness, your UI will still be hard to read.

Can I export these colors into code?

Yes. Click **Copy CSS variables** to get `--color-1`…`--color-N`, or **Download JSON** for a portable list of HEX values you can load into design tokens, Tailwind, or a custom theme system.

How many colors should a palette have?

For apps, **5 colors** is a sweet spot: neutral background + content colors and **1–2 strong accents**. If you’re building charts, bump to **6–8** and keep lightness contrast high so adjacent series remain distinct.

What’s the difference between Tetradic and Square?

Both use four hues spaced around the wheel. **Square** is an even 90° apart (balanced, punchy). **Tetradic (rectangle)** is 60°/120° across two complementary pairs (a bit more nuanced). Try both and pick the one that feels less chaotic with your base color.

My palette looks too loud. Any quick fix?

Lower Saturation to −10…−25 and raise Lightness a touch. Another trick: keep most UI elements neutral (grays) and use **one** accent from the palette for primary actions.

Keywords: color harmony generator, analogous palette maker, complementary color tool, split complementary colors, triadic palette, tetradic color scheme, square color harmony, monochromatic palette builder, UI color palette for web design, brand color combinations.