Accessible Color Palette Generator

Start from one approved brand or accent color, then build a role-based palette for surface, text, accent, and button text before final UI review.

This page is for accessible UI planning. Use it before the final pair-by-pair check in Contrast Checker.

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How to use

  1. Enter one approved base color, then choose whether you are planning a light or dark UI.
  2. Pick an AA or AAA target to set the contrast floor for the main accent.
  3. Copy the generated CSS variables into your prototype or token notes, then finish with Contrast Checker on the exact final pairings.

Wave 53 expansion

Move from single-pair checks into role-based accessible palette planning

This page sits between Color Palette, CSS Color Mix, and Contrast Checker. It answers one narrower question: if one base color is already approved, what starter UI roles still look coherent and contrast-aware?

Build a role-based palette after your base color is already approved.

CSS vars
:root {
  --surface: #ffffff;
  --surface-alt: #f4f7fd;
  --text: #111827;
  --text-muted: #475569;
  --accent: #1d4ed8;
  --accent-text: #ffffff;
  --border-color: #b3c1dd;
}

How to choose between nearby pages

Use Color Palette when the job is still broad visual exploration around one swatch. Use Color Harmony when the next question is hue relationships. Use CSS Color Mix when two approved colors already exist and the next job is shipping a mix expression. Use this page when one base color is approved and the remaining job is assigning coherent UI roles with contrast in mind. Move to Color Token Export when those roles are already acceptable and the next step is packaging them for code. Finish with Contrast Checker once exact text/background pairs are locked.

FAQ

What does this page generate?

It generates a role-based starter palette from one approved base color, including surface, text, muted text, accent, accent text, and border colors for light or dark UI planning.

When should I use this instead of Contrast Checker?

Use Contrast Checker when two exact colors are already chosen and you only need a final pass or fail verdict. Use this page earlier, when one base color is approved but the surrounding UI roles still need an accessibility-first starting palette.

When should I use this instead of Color Palette Generator?

Use Color Palette Generator for broader visual exploration around one swatch. Use this page when the next step is assigning practical UI roles such as surface, text, accent, and button text with contrast in mind.

What is stored in the share URL?

The share URL stores the base color, light or dark mode, and whether the target is AA or AAA.