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Color Picker

Professional color picker with RGB, HEX, HSL values. Generate palettes, save colors, and create beautiful color schemes.

Color Picker

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Quick Colors

The Complete Guide to Colors in Design

Master color theory, understand color formats, and create stunning color palettes for your projects

Color Theory Basics

Color theory is the science and art of using colors. It explains how humans perceive color, how colors mix, match, or clash, and the principles that create pleasing color combinations.

Primary, secondary, tertiary colors
Color wheel relationships
Color temperature and mood

Color Formats Explained

Different color formats serve different purposes in design and development. Understanding when to use each format is crucial for professional work.

HEX for web development
RGB for digital screens
HSL for intuitive adjustments

Color Format Comparison

HEX Colors

Hexadecimal representation using 6 characters (0-9, A-F)

#FF5733
  • • Most common for web
  • • Compact format
  • • Easy to copy/paste

RGB Colors

Red, Green, Blue values from 0-255

rgb(255, 87, 51)
  • • Intuitive for mixing
  • • Screen-based colors
  • • Direct light control

HSL Colors

Hue, Saturation, Lightness - natural color model

hsl(9, 100%, 60%)
  • • Easy to adjust
  • • Human-friendly
  • • Great for variations

Color Harmony Rules

Complementary Colors

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel create high contrast and vibrant looks.

Analogous Colors

Colors next to each other on the wheel create serene and comfortable designs.

Triadic Colors

Three colors evenly spaced on the wheel offer vibrant yet balanced contrast.

Monochromatic

Different shades, tints, and tones of the same color create sophisticated looks.

Color Psychology & Applications

Emotional Impact

  • • Red: Energy, passion, urgency
  • • Blue: Trust, calm, professional
  • • Green: Growth, nature, money
  • • Yellow: Optimism, creativity, warning
  • • Purple: Luxury, creativity, mystery
  • • Orange: Enthusiasm, warmth, fun

Industry Applications

  • • Healthcare: Blue, green (trust, calm)
  • • Finance: Blue, gray (stability, trust)
  • • Food: Red, orange (appetite, warmth)
  • • Technology: Blue, black (innovation)
  • • Eco-friendly: Green, brown (nature)
  • • Luxury: Black, gold (elegance)

Accessibility & Color Guidelines

Contrast Requirements

  • • WCAG AA: 4.5:1 for normal text
  • • WCAG AAA: 7:1 for enhanced readability
  • • Large text: 3:1 minimum ratio
  • • Test with color blind simulators

Color Blindness

  • • 8% of men, 0.5% of women affected
  • • Don't rely on color alone
  • • Use patterns, shapes, or text
  • • Test with deuteranopia simulator

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between RGB and CMYK?

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is for digital screens using light, while CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is for printing using ink. Always use RGB for web and CMYK for print.

How do I create a professional color palette?

Start with a base color that fits your brand, then use color harmony rules to create variations. Limit yourself to 3-5 colors and ensure good contrast for readability.

When should I use HEX vs RGB vs HSL?

Use HEX for quick web development, RGB when you need transparency (RGBA), and HSL when you want to create color variations by adjusting lightness or saturation.

How do I ensure my colors look good on all devices?

Test your colors on different devices and monitor settings. Use web-safe colors, ensure sufficient contrast, and consider how colors appear in different lighting conditions.

What colors should I avoid in web design?

Avoid pure red on pure green (hard on eyes), overly bright colors for large areas, and combinations that fail accessibility tests. Always prioritize readability over aesthetics.

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