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TL;DR - Paletton
- Free browser-based color scheme designer using classical color theory
- Includes color blindness simulation and WCAG contrast checking
- Exports to CSS, HTML, Photoshop, GIMP, and more formats
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free with no account required
- Excellent color blindness simulation for accessibility testing
- WCAG contrast checking built right in
- Exports to many formats including Photoshop and GIMP
- Based on solid color theory principles
- Works entirely in the browser with no installation
Cons
- Interface looks dated compared to modern design tools
- Ad-supported (though unobtrusive)
- Limited to color palette creation, no full design tools
- No saved palettes without manual export
- Uses RYB color model which differs from digital RGB/HSL standards
Key Features
Interactive RYB color wheel for palette creationMonochromatic, complementary, triadic, and tetradic modesFree-style mode for unconstrained color selectionFive shade variations per selected hueColor blindness simulation (protanopia, deuteranopia, etc.)WCAG contrast ratio checker for accessibilityExport to HTML, CSS, LESS, XML, PNG, ACO, and GPLPreview palettes on sample layoutsColorpedia reference database with RGB and luminosity dataTartan fabric preview for textile design
Pricing
Free
Paletton is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
What is Paletton?
Paletton is a free browser-based color scheme designer that helps users create harmonious color palettes using classical color theory. Built on the RYB color wheel, it generates monochromatic, complementary, triadic, and tetradic palettes with five shades per hue. Paletton includes a color blindness simulator, WCAG contrast checker for accessibility compliance, and exports to HTML, CSS, LESS, XML, PNG, Photoshop ACO, and GIMP GPL formats. It also features a Colorpedia reference with detailed color data.
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Paletton FAQ
Is Paletton free to use?
Yes. Paletton is completely free with no account or sign-up required. The site is ad-supported with an optional donation option.
What color schemes can Paletton generate?
Paletton generates monochromatic (single hue), complementary (opposite hues), triadic (three evenly spaced hues), tetradic (four hues), and free-style palettes. Each hue includes five shade variations.
Does Paletton check for color accessibility?
Yes. Paletton includes a WCAG contrast ratio checker that tests all color pairs against accessibility standards, plus a color blindness simulator showing how palettes appear to people with various types of color vision deficiency.
What formats can I export my palette in?
Paletton exports to HTML, CSS, LESS, XML, PNG images, Adobe Photoshop ACO swatch files, and GIMP GPL palette files, covering most design and development workflows.
Why does Paletton use RYB instead of RGB?
Paletton uses the classical RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) color wheel from traditional art and color theory, which produces more visually harmonious palettes for design purposes than the additive RGB model used for screen displays.
Source: paletton.com