HEX Color Shade Generator
Create lighter and darker HEX variants from a base color. Preview the swatches and check contrast separately before use.
This tool processes its main input in your browser and does not send it to an external API. Fonts and interface assets may load from external providers.
HEX Color Shade Generator
The color shade tool takes a base HEX color and moves its RGB channels toward white or black to produce a set of lighter and darker swatches. Select a swatch to copy its HEX value and compare the variants visually.
This simple calculation is not a complete design system or a guarantee of accessible contrast. Color appearance varies with backgrounds, text size, devices and lighting, so test each foreground and background pair in context.
When is it useful?
- Creating lighter and darker UI variants from a brand color.
- Comparing nearby tones for card, hover and border states.
How to use it
- Choose a base HEX value with the color picker.
- Review the lighter and darker swatches, then select the one you want to copy.
- Try the color in the actual component and measure text-to-background contrast separately.
Example
Input: #3366CC
Output: A set of lighter and darker HEX swatches derived from #3366CC
Who is it for?
- Interface designers exploring color variants
- Developers building reusable theme tokens
- Teams reviewing a base color in context
Privacy and limitations
Color selection and shade calculations run in the browser; the chosen color is not sent to an API. The swatches do not include an automatic accessibility or brand-compliance assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How are the shades calculated?
The tool shifts the base color's RGB channels toward white or black. The resulting intervals are not designed to be perceptually uniform.
Are all generated colors accessible?
No. This tool does not calculate WCAG contrast. Test the actual text and background color pairs you plan to use.
How do I copy a color value?
Select a swatch to copy its HEX value. Clipboard access depends on your browser and page permissions.
Does this set define a brand palette?
No. Treat it as a starting point for exploration. A brand palette also needs review against your design guidance, color profile, screens and use cases.