How to choose a color palette for your website without ruining design
Choosing a color palette is key. Badly chosen colors make the interface hard to use.
Example 5-color palette
What makes a good color palette
A good palette should be readable, match the project theme, work on all devices, and maintain contrast.
How many colors to use
3–5 main colors are usually sufficient:
- Primary brand color
- Secondary color
- Accent color
- Neutral shades for background/text
Contrast and Accessibility
Poor text readability is common. Checking contrast improves UX and meets WCAG standards.
Practical tip: Test color combinations with ColorHexify.
Understanding color harmony
Color harmony refers to the pleasing arrangement of colors. There are several types of color harmonies, including complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes.
Choosing colors for different elements
Different parts of your website require different colors. Headers might use bold colors, while body text needs neutral, readable shades.
Testing your palette
Always test your color palette in various lighting conditions and on different devices. What looks good on a desktop might not work on mobile.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using too many colors
- Ignoring accessibility guidelines
- Not considering the brand identity
- Forgetting about hover and focus states
By following these guidelines and using tools like ColorHexify, you can create effective, beautiful color palettes that enhance your website's design and user experience.