What is PaletteCSS and what can I do with it?

PaletteCSS is a free online tool for designers and developers. It lets you browse thousands of curated color palettes and CSS gradients. For every palette, you can copy the hex codes, CSS custom properties, Tailwind color config, or SCSS variables in one click. No account is needed. You can also download a PNG image of any palette for use in Figma, Sketch or other design tools. The site also includes a CSS gradient generator where you can create and copy linear or radial gradients instantly.

How do I use a color palette in CSS?

To use a color palette in CSS, open any palette on PaletteCSS and click the CSS tab. It generates a ready-to-use block of CSS custom properties. Paste this into your stylesheet and reference the variables throughout your project. For Tailwind CSS, click the Tailwind tab to get a colors config block you can drop directly into your tailwind.config.js file. Every palette also includes SCSS variables and a plain hex array for JavaScript.

What colors go well together for web design?

Colors that work well together in web design follow color theory principles. Complementary colors sit opposite on the color wheel and create strong contrast — good for calls to action. Analogous colors sit next to each other and create a calm, cohesive feel — good for backgrounds. A simple rule: pick one dominant color, one accent color and one neutral. For example, navy blue as the primary, coral as the accent and off-white as the background. According to the Interaction Design Foundation, color harmony is key to effective visual communication.

Are color palettes on PaletteCSS accessible for web use?

Every palette on PaletteCSS includes a WCAG contrast ratio checker on its detail page. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) require a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. The accessibility section on each palette shows which color pairs pass AA and AAA standards. This helps you pick combinations that work for all users, including those with visual impairments, and meet legal accessibility requirements for public websites.

Free Color Palette & CSS Gradient Generator

Color Palettes