Example Colors JSON File

This article series was rewritten in mid 2017 with up-to-date information and fresh examples.

In this JSON example, we will look at how we can store simple values in a file using JSON format.

Using the key-value pair notation, we can store any kind of value we want including strings, arrays, and literals. Of course, we cannot save blob data (e.g. video, audio or compressed data) since a JSON file is basically a text file we can edit using any text editor.

Let’s quickly take a look at the following example:

{
  "colors": [
    {
      "color": "black",
      "category": "hue",
      "type": "primary",
      "code": {
        "rgba": [255,255,255,1],
        "hex": "#000"
      }
    },
    {
      "color": "white",
      "category": "value",
      "code": {
        "rgba": [0,0,0,1],
        "hex": "#FFF"
      }
    },
    {
      "color": "red",
      "category": "hue",
      "type": "primary",
      "code": {
        "rgba": [255,0,0,1],
        "hex": "#FF0"
      }
    },
    {
      "color": "blue",
      "category": "hue",
      "type": "primary",
      "code": {
        "rgba": [0,0,255,1],
        "hex": "#00F"
      }
    },
    {
      "color": "yellow",
      "category": "hue",
      "type": "primary",
      "code": {
        "rgba": [255,255,0,1],
        "hex": "#FF0"
      }
    },
    {
      "color": "green",
      "category": "hue",
      "type": "secondary",
      "code": {
        "rgba": [0,255,0,1],
        "hex": "#0F0"
      }
    },
  ]
}

In the above example, you can see how much data we can provide about a particular color. Take note of the structure and the level of nesting used. You can also use a basic structure to store your data. Take a look at the following examples:

{
  "aliceblue": "#f0f8ff",
  "antiquewhite": "#faebd7",
  "aqua": "#00ffff",
  "aquamarine": "#7fffd4",
  "azure": "#f0ffff",
  "beige": "#f5f5dc",
  "bisque": "#ffe4c4",
  "black": "#000000",
  "blanchedalmond": "#ffebcd",
  "blue": "#0000ff",
  "blueviolet": "#8a2be2",
  "brown": "#a52a2a",
}

Sample taken from bahamas10/css-color-names

Or this one:

{
  "aliceblue": [240, 248, 255, 1],
  "antiquewhite": [250, 235, 215, 1],
  "aqua": [0, 255, 255, 1],
  "aquamarine": [127, 255, 212, 1],
  "azure": [240, 255, 255, 1],
  "beige": [245, 245, 220, 1],
  "bisque": [255, 228, 196, 1],
  "black": [0, 0, 0, 1],
  "blanchedalmond": [255, 235, 205, 1],
  "blue": [0, 0, 255, 1],
  "blueviolet": [138, 43, 226, 1],
  "brown": [165, 42, 42, 1],
  "burlywood": [222, 184, 135, 1],
  "cadetblue": [95, 158, 160, 1],
  "chartreuse": [127, 255, 0, 1],
  "chocolate": [210, 105, 30, 1],
  "coral": [255, 127, 80, 1],
}

Sample taken from corysimmons/colors.json

The great thing about JSON is that it’s popular and has native support in every modern programming language. Which means you are likely to get a wide range of JSON data sets (e.g. lists of countries) you can use in your project.

Here are the other examples in this series:

FAQs About Colors JSON File

What is JSON and how is it related to colors?

JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is based on a subset of the JavaScript Programming Language. When it comes to colors, JSON can be used to store color values in a structured way. For example, you can store the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values of a color in a JSON object. This can be useful in various scenarios, such as web development, where you might want to use specific color values consistently across a website.

How can I use JSON to define colors in my web project?

You can define colors in your web project using JSON by creating a JSON object that contains the color names and their corresponding values. For example, you can define a color named “red” with the RGB value of “255,0,0”. Once you have defined your colors in a JSON object, you can use them in your CSS or JavaScript code by referencing the color names.

Can I use JSON to store color names and their corresponding hex values?

Yes, you can use JSON to store color names and their corresponding hex values. This can be particularly useful if you are working with a color palette that uses specific hex values. By storing these values in a JSON object, you can ensure consistency across your project and make it easier to update the colors if needed.

How can I access the color values stored in a JSON object?

You can access the color values stored in a JSON object using dot notation or bracket notation. For example, if you have a JSON object named “colors” that contains a color named “red”, you can access the value of “red” using “colors.red” or “colors[‘red’]”.

Can I use JSON to store other color-related information?

Yes, you can use JSON to store other color-related information. For example, you can store the RGB values, hex values, and even the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) values of a color in a JSON object. You can also store additional information, such as whether the color is a primary color, a secondary color, or a tertiary color.

How can I convert a JSON object to a string?

You can convert a JSON object to a string using the JSON.stringify() method. This can be useful if you want to store the JSON object in a database or send it over a network.

How can I convert a string to a JSON object?

You can convert a string to a JSON object using the JSON.parse() method. This can be useful if you have received a JSON object as a string and want to access its properties.

Can I use JSON to store color gradients?

Yes, you can use JSON to store color gradients. You can do this by storing the start and end colors of the gradient, and any other colors in between, in a JSON object.

Can I use JSON to store color palettes?

Yes, you can use JSON to store color palettes. You can do this by creating a JSON object that contains the color names and their corresponding values for each color in the palette.

Can I use JSON to store color schemes?

Yes, you can use JSON to store color schemes. You can do this by creating a JSON object that contains the color names and their corresponding values for each color in the scheme. This can be particularly useful if you are working on a project that requires a consistent color scheme.