Paletton

Overview

Paletton is a free, web-based color scheme designer that uses classical color theory and the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) color wheel to create harmonious color palettes. The tool generates one to four hue combinations, each with five different shades, and allows users to test palettes against web designs, UI mockups, textiles, and random imagery.

The tool serves professional designers, artists, students, and amateurs working on web design, mobile apps, interior design, fashion, and print projects. Unlike generic color tools, Paletton includes vision simulation filters that emulate color blindness variants (protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia, and others), gamma corrections, and grayscale conversions—making it accessible for inclusive design work.

Key Benefits

• Create color palettes using monochromatic, triad, tetrad, and free-style color models with complementary color options.
• Test color contrast compliance against WCAG standards for all color pairs in your palette.
• Export palettes in 8+ formats: HTML, CSS, LESS, XML, text, PNG, Photoshop ACO swatches, and GIMP GPL format.
• Simulate how color palettes appear to people with color blindness and various vision weaknesses using built-in vision filters.
• Preview palettes across multiple contexts: web designs, UI layouts, tartan fabric, and randomly drawn images.
• Generate random palettes or adjust brightness and saturation using predefined presets for quick inspiration.

How It Works

Select a base color on the interactive RYB color wheel, then choose a color model (monochromatic, triad, tetrad, or free-style) to generate palette variations. Adjust brightness and saturation sliders, enable vision simulation filters to test accessibility, and preview the palette in your chosen context (web, UI, fabric, or random image). Finally, export your finished palette in your preferred format—HTML, CSS, PNG, Photoshop swatch, or another supported file type.

Use Cases

• Web designers building branded websites need palettes that convey brand identity while maintaining WCAG contrast accessibility for readability.
• UI/UX designers creating mobile and desktop applications use Paletton to generate consistent, accessible color systems across multiple screens.
• Interior designers and home improvement professionals explore palettes for wall colors, furnishings, and decor coordination using the tartan fabric preview.
• Fashion designers and textile artists generate seasonal color trends and fabric pattern combinations using Paletton's palette exports.
• Accessibility-focused teams test color combinations against color blindness simulations to ensure designs work for users with vision weaknesses.

Why Choose This Product

Paletton is best suited for anyone creating visual work who needs trustworthy, theory-based color combinations without design expertise. The tool has served nearly 20 million visitors since 2002 (originally as Color Scheme Designer), demonstrating reliability across professional and amateur use. The free, no-login-required interface and comprehensive export options make it especially valuable for designers who need to move palettes directly into Photoshop, CSS frameworks, or print workflows.