What is a HEX color code and how do I read it?
A HEX color code is a 6-digit hexadecimal string prefixed with #. The first two digits represent red intensity (00–FF), the middle two represent green, and the last two represent blue. For example, #FF0000 is pure red, #00FF00 is pure green, and #0000FF is pure blue. Short-hand 3-digit codes like #F00 expand to #FF0000.
What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?
RGB is an additive color model used by screens: mixing all channels at full intensity produces white. CMYK is a subtractive model used in print: mixing all inks at full intensity produces near-black. RGB values cannot always be reproduced exactly in CMYK print because the color gamut of print is smaller than that of a display.
Why is HSL better for generating color palettes?
HSL lets you manipulate color properties independently. To create a lighter tint, increase the lightness value. To create a shade, decrease it. To find a complementary color, add 180° to the hue. To find analogous colors, add or subtract 30°. This predictable math makes HSL ideal for programmatic palette generation, which is exactly how this tool works.
What does the contrast ratio mean for accessibility?
The contrast ratio measures how distinguishable two colors are from each other. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum 4.5:1 ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text to meet AA compliance. A ratio of 1:1 means identical colors (no contrast), while 21:1 is the maximum (black on white). This tool shows the contrast of your selected color against both pure white and pure black.
How does the image color extractor work?
When you upload an image, the tool draws it to a hidden HTML5 canvas element, samples pixels across a grid, and then runs a simplified k-means clustering algorithm over the sampled pixels. The algorithm groups similar colors together and computes the centroid (average color) of each cluster, producing 5 representative dominant colors from your image.
What are complementary, analogous, and triadic colors?
These are classic color harmony schemes from color theory. Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel (180° apart) and create high-contrast, vivid combinations. Analogous colors are neighbors on the wheel (±30°) and create harmonious, low-contrast schemes. Triadic colors form an equilateral triangle on the wheel (±120°) and balance contrast with variety — popular in logo and brand design.