Advanced Color Picker Tool
Our free online Color Picker tool provides web designers, developers, and digital artists with a comprehensive solution for selecting, managing, and organizing colors for their projects. Whether you're designing a website, creating digital art, or developing a brand identity, our intuitive color picker makes it easy to find the perfect colors and create harmonious palettes.
Simply use the visual color picker or input specific values in HEX, RGB, or HSL formats to select your colors. Generate color palettes using different harmony rules like analogous, complementary, triadic, or monochromatic schemes. Save your favorite colors, access your color history, and export your palettes for use in various design applications.
Understanding Color Models
HEX Colors
Hexadecimal color codes are 6-digit codes preceded by a # symbol, representing RGB values in base-16.
- Format: #RRGGBB
- Range: #000000 (black) to #FFFFFF (white)
- Example: #3498DB (blue)
- Popular in web development (CSS, HTML)
- Shorthand format: #RGB (e.g., #F00 for red)
RGB Colors
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) defines colors by specifying the intensity of the three primary colors of light.
- Format: rgb(R, G, B)
- Range: 0-255 for each channel
- Example: rgb(52, 152, 219) (blue)
- Used in digital displays and screens
- Additive color model (adds light)
- RGBA adds alpha channel for transparency
HSL Colors
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) represents colors in a more intuitive, human-readable way.
- Format: hsl(H, S%, L%)
- Hue: 0-360 degrees on color wheel
- Saturation: 0-100% (gray to full color)
- Lightness: 0-100% (black to white)
- Example: hsl(204, 70%, 53%) (blue)
- Easier for creating tints, shades, and tones
Features of Our Color Picker
Intuitive Color Selection
- Visual color picker with full spectrum
- Direct input via HEX, RGB, or HSL
- Real-time color preview
- Color history tracking
- One-click copy in multiple formats
- Compatible with all modern browsers
Color Palette Generation
- Analogous color schemes
- Complementary color pairs
- Triadic color harmonies
- Monochromatic variations
- Palette locking for fine-tuning
- Random palette generation
Advanced Organization
- Save favorite colors
- Color history tracking
- Export palettes in CSV format
- Copy individual or multiple colors
- Dark mode support
- Visual usage examples
Designer-Friendly
- Precise control over color values
- Visual design examples
- Color format conversion
- Automatic contrast checking
- Mobile-responsive interface
- No account required
Technical Excellence
- Accurate color model conversions
- Client-side processing (no uploads)
- Fast, responsive interface
- Correct handling of color formats
- Works offline after loading
- Lightweight and efficient
Web Development Focus
- CSS-friendly color formats
- Copy colors directly to clipboard
- Web-safe color indication
- Material design color options
- Accessibility considerations
- Integration with other design tools
How to Use the Color Picker
- Select a Color: Use the color picker, input a HEX code, or adjust RGB/HSL values to choose your desired color.
- Copy Color Values: Click the copy buttons to copy the color in HEX, RGB, or HSL format to your clipboard.
- Save Your Favorites: Click "Save Color" to add the current color to your saved colors collection.
- Generate a Color Palette: Switch to the "Color Palette" tab and select a harmony type (analogous, complementary, triadic, or monochromatic).
- Customize Your Palette: Click any color in the palette to make it your current color. Use the lock feature to prevent palette changes while you experiment.
- Export Your Palette: Use the export button to download your color palette as a CSV file, compatible with most design software.
- Access Saved Colors: Switch to the "Saved Colors" tab to view and manage your collection of saved colors.
Color Theory Basics
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. They create a strong, vibrant contrast that can be visually striking. Use complementary colors when you want to create emphasis or draw attention to a specific element. Examples include red/green, blue/orange, and yellow/purple combinations.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. They create harmonious, comfortable designs that are pleasing to the eye. Use analogous color schemes when you want to create a cohesive, unified look without stark contrasts. An example would be blue, blue-green, and green.
Triadic Colors
Triadic colors are evenly spaced around the color wheel (forming a triangle). They offer vibrant contrast while maintaining balance and color richness. Triadic schemes provide more variety than complementary schemes while still offering high contrast. Examples include red, yellow, and blue or purple, green, and orange.
Monochromatic Colors
Monochromatic color schemes use variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. They create an elegant, cohesive look that's easy to manage. Use monochromatic schemes when you want a subtle, sophisticated design that doesn't distract from content. An example would be light blue, medium blue, and dark blue.
60-30-10 Rule
The 60-30-10 rule is a classic design principle for balancing colors in a composition. Use your dominant color for 60% of the design (backgrounds, large areas), a secondary color for 30% (supporting elements), and an accent color for 10% (highlights, calls to action). This creates visual interest while maintaining harmony.
Choosing Colors for Web Design
Tips for Effective Color Selection
- Consider your brand identity and the emotions you want to evoke
- Understand color psychology (e.g., blue for trust, red for excitement)
- Limit your palette to 3-5 colors for cohesiveness
- Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background
- Test your colors in different lighting and on different devices
- Consider color blindness and accessibility needs
- Use color to guide user attention and establish hierarchy
Color Accessibility Considerations
- Ensure text has at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio with its background (WCAG AA standard)
- Don't rely solely on color to convey information (use icons, patterns, or labels as well)
- Test your designs with color blindness simulators
- Avoid problematic color combinations (red/green, blue/purple, green/brown)
- Use our Color Contrast Checker to verify accessibility
- Consider offering a high-contrast mode option
- Use color coding consistently throughout your website
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between RGB and HSL color models?
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is based on how colors are created on digital screens by mixing light. It's more technical and less intuitive for humans. HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is designed to be more intuitive, separating the color (hue) from its intensity (saturation) and brightness (lightness). HSL makes it easier to adjust a color's properties while maintaining its essential character.
How do I convert between different color formats?
Our Color Picker tool automatically handles conversions between HEX, RGB, and HSL formats. Simply enter a color in any format, and the tool will display its equivalent values in all three formats. You can then copy the format you need for your project. For manual conversions, you can use the mathematical formulas or online converters like our RGB to HEX or HEX to RGB tools.
What color scheme works best for websites?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as the best color scheme depends on your brand, audience, and website purpose. However, many successful websites follow the 60-30-10 rule (60% dominant color, 30% secondary color, 10% accent color). For content-heavy sites, consider using a neutral background with strategic color accents. For branding or creative sites, more vibrant schemes may be appropriate. Always ensure readable contrast and consistent application.
How can I ensure my colors are accessible to everyone?
For accessibility, ensure a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 between text and background for normal text (WCAG AA standard) and 3:1 for large text. Don't rely solely on color to convey information. Test your design with color blindness simulators, and consider the 8% of men and 0.5% of women with color vision deficiencies. Use our Color Contrast Checker to verify your color combinations meet accessibility standards.
Can I use this color picker for print design?
While our color picker is primarily designed for digital media (which uses RGB colors), you can certainly use it for initial print design concepts. However, be aware that print typically uses the CMYK color model, and colors may appear differently when printed. For precise print colors, you should convert your final colors to CMYK using professional design software and use physical color swatches for final verification.