Generate Color Shades & Tints
How to Use the Color Shades Generator
Select Base Color
Use the color picker to choose your starting color or enter a hex value directly.
Adjust Settings
Customize the number of shades and their intensity to match your design requirements.
Explore & Copy
View the instantly generated palette. Click any color to copy its hex code instantly.
Why Use a Color Shades Generator?
Design Consistency
Create harmonious color schemes that maintain visual consistency across your projects.
Time Efficiency
Generate professional palettes in seconds instead of manually calculating shades.
Developer Friendly
Get precise hex codes ready for CSS, Tailwind, or any development environment.
Improved Accessibility
Build palettes that help you test and ensure proper contrast ratios for readability.
From Generator to Website: Applying Your Palette
Once you’ve created the perfect palette, implementing it is simple. Our “Copy Palette” button provides CSS custom properties (variables) that you can paste directly into your stylesheet. This makes managing and updating colors across your entire site incredibly efficient.
How to Use the Copied CSS
- Click the “Copy Palette” button to copy the CSS variables to your clipboard.
- Paste the code at the top of your main CSS file, inside the
:root {}selector. - Apply the colors anywhere in your project by using the
var(--color-name)function.
/* 1. Paste this into your CSS file */
:root {
--color-1: #dbeafe; /* Lightest Tint */
--color-2: #bfdbfe;
--color-3: #93c5fd;
--color-4: #2563eb; /* Base Color */
--color-5: #1d4ed8;
--color-6: #1e40af;
--color-7: #1e3a8a; /* Darkest Shade */
}
/* 2. Use the variables in your design */
.my-button {
background-color: var(--color-4);
color: white;
border: 1px solid var(--color-5);
}
.my-button:hover {
background-color: var(--color-5);
}Mastering Color Palettes for Modern Design
Color shades and tints are fundamental for creating depth, hierarchy, and a polished look in modern digital design. By programmatically adding black (shades) or white (tints) to a base color, you create a monochrome palette that is inherently harmonious. This ensures that UI elements like buttons, backgrounds, and text feel connected.
Key Principles for Effective Color Palettes
- Consistency is Key: Using shades from the same base color creates a unified and professional look.
- Contrast for Readability: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors for all users.
- Emotional Resonance: Darker shades often convey sophistication and stability, while lighter tints feel airy and open.
- Accessibility Matters: Adhere to WCAG guidelines, which recommend at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text.
- Brand Identity: Consistent color usage across all platforms strengthens brand recognition and trust.
Designing for Everyone: Color Accessibility (WCAG)
Creating beautiful palettes is only half the battle. To ensure your website is usable by everyone, including people with visual impairments, you must consider color contrast. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide standards to make web content more accessible.
Understanding Contrast Ratios
The contrast ratio measures the difference in perceived “lightness” between two colors. Here’s what you need to know:
- AA (Minimum): Requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. This is the most common target for web accessibility.
- AAA (Enhanced): Requires a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. This provides a better experience for a wider range of users.
Our tool helps you generate a range of shades and tints, making it easier to find pairs that meet these critical accessibility standards. Always test your final color combinations with a dedicated contrast checker tool.
Palette Inspiration: Real-World Use Cases
Website & UI Design
Use darker shades for text and headers, a base color for call-to-action buttons, and lighter tints for backgrounds to create a clear visual hierarchy.
Branding & Logos
Develop a complete brand guide using a base color as your primary, with shades and tints serving as secondary and accent colors for a cohesive identity.
Data Visualization
In charts and graphs, use a sequential palette from light to dark to represent data intensity, making complex information intuitive and easy to read.