Paletton

Paletton is a free, RYB-based tool for creating accessible, structured color schemes with WCAG and color-blindness support.

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What is Paletton

Paletton is a color engineering tool left behind by time. No AI suggestions, no social sharing, no trend-chasing palettes. Its core is a complete RYB color wheel system, paired with accessibility checks, color blindness simulation, and multi-format export—delivering reliable color logic for demanding projects. If you're building brand systems, print materials, or WCAG-compliant UIs, Paletton offers a coldly rational but highly dependable solution. It doesn’t tell you ‘what colors look good’—it tells you ‘which ones actually work.’

Homepage (Main Color Wheel & Scheme Selector)

Palette Detail Page (with Contrast Check & Color Blind Sim)

Usage Instructions

How to use Paletton

Getting Started

Go to https://paletton.com (requires JavaScript)
Drag the center dot on the color wheel to select your base hue
Select a scheme from the top: Monochromatic, Triad, Tetrad, etc.
Review the auto-generated 5-tone scale on the right—ideal for buttons, text, backgrounds
Click any two colors to see their contrast ratio and WCAG compliance
Switch to the 'Color Blind' tab to simulate how it appears to different vision types
Click 'Export' and choose CSS, LESS, or other formats to copy code

Pro Tips

Start from Reality: As the site suggests, pick an object you like (e.g., a salt shaker, book cover) and use its color as a starting point—unexpected combinations often emerge
Grayscale Test: Click 'Grayscale' to check if elements remain distinguishable without color—critical for hierarchy
Avoid Over-Reliance: Paletton’s output is structural, not final. You can tweak individual tints or swap colors as long as the relationship holds
Teaching Tool: Use the 'Tartan' template to teach pattern and color interaction—it’s more effective than theory alone

Paletton Key Features

RYB Artist’s Color Wheel Based

Uses traditional painting theory—ideal for branding, print, and physical products

Classic Color Scheme Models

Supports monochromatic, complementary, split-complementary, triad, tetrad, and freeform

Auto-Generated 5-Tone Scale

Each hue produces five lightness levels—perfect for building UI color scales

Built-in WCAG Contrast Checker

Shows real-time contrast ratios and AA/AAA compliance for any color pair

Comprehensive Color Blindness Simulation

Simulates 8 types of vision deficiency (e.g., protanopia, achromatopsia)

Multi-Format Export

Export to HTML, CSS, LESS, XML, Photoshop ACO, GIMP GPL, and more

Real-World Preview Templates

Preview palettes in web UI mockups, random illustrations, or tartan fabric patterns

Free & No Login Required

No accounts, no paywalls, no ads—everything works immediately

Paletton Use Cases

Accessibility-First UI Design

Validate text/background contrast early to avoid costly redesigns

Brand Color System Building

Systematically derive accents, secondaries, and neutrals from a single primary

Print & Textile Color Planning

Use RYB logic and tartan preview for physical material coordination

Teaching Color Theory

Visually demonstrate complementary, triadic, and tetradic relationships

Cross-Media Color Consistency

Ensure visual harmony across screen, paper, and fabric applications

Color Vision Deficiency Testing

Quickly check if your palette remains legible for color-blind users

Paletton Pros & Cons

Pros

Based on RYB wheel—ideal for art, print, and branding outside digital contexts

Built-in WCAG contrast checking and color blindness simulation ensure accessibility

Auto-generates 5-tone scales—perfect for building UI color hierarchies

Exports to multiple professional formats (CSS, LESS, ACO, etc.)

100% free—no login, no ads, no feature gating

Interface is dated but functional, fast, and logically structured

Cons

Outdated UI with no responsive design—poor mobile experience

No image upload or color extraction from photos

Lacks modern features like AI suggestions or trend analysis

Cannot save or favorite palettes—must recreate each session

No collaboration tools—unsuitable for team workflows

Some functions rely on legacy tech—slightly slower load times

Paletton FAQ

Q1: How is Paletton different from Coolors or Adobe Color?

Coolors and Adobe Color focus on ‘inspiration discovery,’ using algorithms to suggest trending or harmonious palettes. Paletton is an ‘engineering tool’ focused on structured generation and accessibility validation. Use the former for quick ideas; the latter for building formal color systems.

Q2: Why does Paletton use RYB instead of RGB?

RYB is the traditional artist’s color wheel, based on pigment mixing. While RGB is standard for digital screens, RYB better reflects real-world color behavior in print, branding, and physical products.

Q3: Can I use Paletton palettes commercially?

Yes. All generated colors are generic values and not copyrightable. However, avoid directly publishing copyrighted source images (e.g., website screenshots) in commercial assets.

Q4: Does Paletton support Chinese?

No. The interface is English-only, but all functions are accessible via visual interaction—no heavy reading required.

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