How to Generate Color Palettes Programmatically
Algorithmic color palette generation creates harmonious color schemes from a single base color. Learn the math behind complementary, analogous, and triadic palettes and how to implement them in code.
Key Takeaways
- Programmatic palette generation uses color theory rules applied to a base color.
- Rotate the hue by 180 degrees to find the complement:
- From a base color, generate a full shade scale by adjusting lightness:
- For more consistent perceived lightness across hues, use OKLCH instead of HSL.
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Color Palette Algorithms
Programmatic palette generation uses color theory rules applied to a base color. The HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) color space is most intuitive for algorithmic manipulation.
HSL-Based Generation
Complementary
Rotate the hue by 180 degrees to find the complement:
- Base: hsl(210, 80%, 50%) (blue)
- Complement: hsl(30, 80%, 50%) (orange)
Analogous
Select colors 30 degrees apart on the color wheel:
- Base: hsl(210, 80%, 50%)
- Analogous 1: hsl(180, 80%, 50%)
- Analogous 2: hsl(240, 80%, 50%)
Triadic
Three colors 120 degrees apart:
- Base: hsl(210, 80%, 50%)
- Triadic 1: hsl(330, 80%, 50%)
- Triadic 2: hsl(90, 80%, 50%)
Generating Shades and Tints
From a base color, generate a full shade scale by adjusting lightness:
| Step | Lightness | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 95% | Subtle backgrounds |
| 100 | 90% | Light backgrounds |
| 200 | 80% | Borders |
| 300 | 70% | Hover states |
| 500 | 50% | Primary (base) |
| 700 | 30% | Dark variant |
| 900 | 10% | Very dark |
OKLCH: Perceptually Uniform Palettes
For more consistent perceived lightness across hues, use OKLCH instead of HSL. HSL's lightness is not perceptually uniform โ yellow at 50% lightness appears much brighter than blue at 50% lightness. OKLCH corrects this.
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