Base color
Harmony type
Shade variants per hue
Pixel art palette generator
How it works
- Pick a base color using the color picker
- Choose a color harmony type (complementary, triadic, etc.)
- Adjust the number of shade variants
- Copy hex codes or download the palette
Harmony types
- Complementary — two colors opposite on the wheel
- Analogous — three adjacent colors for cohesion
- Triadic — three evenly spaced colors for variety
- Split-complementary — softer take on complementary
- Tetradic — four colors for maximum range
- Monochromatic — single hue with varied lightness
FAQ
How many colors should a pixel art palette have?
Most retro-style pixel art uses 4–16 colors. Fewer colors creates a more cohesive, stylized look. 8–12 is the sweet spot for most games.
Can I use these palettes in the pixel editor?
Yes — copy any hex code and paste it into the pixel editor's color picker. We're working on direct palette import too.
What's the best harmony type for game sprites?
Analogous for natural environments, complementary for characters that need to pop, triadic for varied but balanced color schemes.