21 Stimulating Color Palette Tools For Designers

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I’m always excited about the possibilities of a new design. At the very beginning, I never really know where it will end up, and I love that feeling. The whole process of choosing colors and creating a color palette for a site is usually one of my first (and favorite) steps. Even if I have the chosen colors from the client, I still use a series of color scheme tools to put together the final palette. It’s one of my design inspiration triggers. So, here are 21 inspiration-stimulating online color palette tools that I could play around with for hours: 1. kuler This may be one of the most used tools, and it is also one of my favorites. The site, by Adobe, is smooth and easy to use and allows you to create color themes and then download them to use in Adobe CS products. There is even a really cool desktop Adobe AIR application that lets you grab swatches, drag them all over your screen, resize and then copy the values of the colors to use in other applications. 2. ColorBlender This one is by far one of the quickest ways to get a set of complementary colors based on one. All you do is select your initial color and “blends” are displayed automatically. You can download your palette for importing into Photoshop or Illustrator, or have a direct URL to the colors emailed to you. 3. Color Scheme Designer Another nicely done tool, this one lets you drag a scale around a color wheel to select your hues, adjust the scheme and then export the hex codes into HTML, XML or text. You can also download Photoshop or GIMP palettes. The site also gives you a preview of the colors in a mock website. Plus, it’s informative with tips and color information, and even has an option to display colors as seen by people with varying levels of color vision deficiency. 4. COLOURlovers COLOURlovers is a great color trend resource, offering a collection of palettes created by other users, as well as the opportunity to create your own. One of the coolest features of the site is a trends section showing popular colors on sites and in magazines. color palette generator5. Color Jack There are so many tools on this site, I don’t even know where to start. It has a color block, showing potential palettes for each color you mouseover; a Color Galaxy showing the colors recognized by different browsers, operating systems, etc.; and a Color Sphere that has so many options and possibilities, you have to try it for yourself. Oh, and there’s also a Color Studio with a whole slew of mix-and-match, then export options. color palette generator6. DeGraeve Color Palette Generator If you are interested in determining all of the colors in a photo, this is the tool you want to use. Just enter in the URL of the photo and it will spit out all of the colors represented. 7. Color Hunter
Similar to DeGraeve’s generator, this one let you enter in a URL of a photo to generate a palette. You can also upload an image, and enter in a hex code to get other images and palettes that contain it. 8. colr.org While it seems simple at first, this tool has some depth. Some of the things you can do include: load random images from flickr and pull the colors, enter a website and grab the color scheme, and explore schemes created by other users. color scheme generator 9. ColorSchemer This tool includes a library of user-developed color palettes that may jog your color creativity. They also have a desktop application to purchase to create your own palettes. 10. VisiBone Color Lab A little rough around the edges, but great for the designer who wants to get in, grab some web-safe colors and get out. color palette generator11. ColorCombos This tool let’s you search a Combo Library or create your own using the Color Tester. The Tester has some very unique features, such as an option to show text over your colors, create a template of hex codes, and download an image of the palette. You can even plug in a URL and get a list of all of the colors used on a website. 12. Unsafe Color Match Tool This is one of the most coder-friendly color tools. It lets you modify colors, links, text and background and visually displays your selections on a template. And it has an area that displays the codes so you can duplicate the scheme in your design. Not enough? Here’s some more… 13. Daily Color Scheme 14. Colorspire
15. Jeff Minard’s Color Palette Generator 16. GenoPal 17. EasyRGB 18. Color Wizard 19. ColorMix 20. ColourMod

Frequently Asked Questions about Color Palette Tools for Designers

What are the benefits of using color palette tools for designers?

Color palette tools are essential for designers as they help in creating visually appealing and harmonious designs. They provide a range of colors that work well together, which can be used to create a cohesive look and feel in designs. These tools also save time as designers don’t have to manually pick and choose colors. They can simply select a palette and use the colors provided. Additionally, these tools often come with features that allow designers to experiment with different color combinations, helping them to create unique and innovative designs.

How do I choose the right color palette tool?

Choosing the right color palette tool depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some tools offer a wide range of pre-made color palettes, while others allow you to create your own. Consider factors such as ease of use, the variety of colors available, and any additional features that might be useful to you, such as the ability to save palettes or export them in different formats. It’s also a good idea to read reviews and try out a few different tools to see which one you prefer.

Can I use these color palette tools for free?

Yes, many color palette tools are available for free. However, some may offer premium features at a cost. It’s important to check the terms and conditions of each tool before using it to ensure you’re aware of any limitations or costs involved.

How can I create my own color palette?

Most color palette tools allow you to create your own palette. You can usually start by selecting a base color, and the tool will suggest complementary colors. You can then adjust these colors as needed until you’re happy with your palette. Some tools also allow you to upload an image and create a palette based on the colors in that image.

Can I share my color palettes with others?

Yes, most color palette tools allow you to share your palettes with others. This can be done through a link, by exporting the palette as an image or a file, or by sharing it directly through the tool if it has a social feature.

Can I use color palette tools on mobile devices?

Yes, many color palette tools are available as mobile apps or have mobile-friendly websites. This allows you to create and use color palettes wherever you are, which can be particularly useful if you find inspiration while you’re out and about.

How do I use a color palette in my designs?

Once you’ve created or chosen a color palette, you can use it in your designs by applying the colors to different elements. This could include backgrounds, text, images, borders, and more. Some design software allows you to import color palettes directly, making it easy to apply your chosen colors.

Can color palette tools help me understand color theory?

Yes, many color palette tools are designed with color theory in mind. They can help you understand concepts such as complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes, and how to use these to create balanced and harmonious designs.

Can I save my color palettes for future use?

Yes, most color palette tools allow you to save your palettes for future use. This can be particularly useful if you’re working on a project that requires a consistent color scheme, or if you want to reuse a palette in different designs.

Are there any color palette tools specifically for web design?

Yes, there are color palette tools specifically designed for web design. These tools often include features such as the ability to generate CSS code for your colors, or to check the accessibility of your color scheme to ensure it’s readable for all users.

Alyssa GregoryAlyssa Gregory
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Alyssa Gregory is a digital and content marketer, small business consultant, and the founder of the Small Business Bonfire — a social, educational and collaborative community for entrepreneurs.

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