Understanding Color Theory
Color theory is the foundation of effective web design. Understanding how colors work together helps you create harmonious and visually appealing interfaces.
Primary Colors
Red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. All other colors are derived from these three.
Color Harmony
Use complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel) for high contrast, or analogous colors (adjacent on the wheel) for harmony.
Color Formats and Values
Understanding different color formats helps you work effectively across various platforms and tools.
HEX Colors
#FF5733 - Most common format for web development
RGB Colors
rgb(255, 87, 51) - Red, Green, Blue values (0-255)
HSL Colors
hsl(12, 100%, 60%) - Hue, Saturation, Lightness
Accessibility and Color Contrast
Ensuring your color choices are accessible to all users is crucial for inclusive design.
WCAG Guidelines
- Normal text: 4.5:1 contrast ratio minimum
- Large text: 3:1 contrast ratio minimum
- Don't rely on color alone to convey information
Best Practices for Web Design
Color Psychology
Different colors evoke different emotions. Blue conveys trust and professionalism,while red creates urgency and excitement.
Brand Consistency
Maintain consistent color usage across your website to reinforce brand identity and improve user experience.
💡 Pro Tip
Use our Color Picker tool to experiment with different color combinations and find the perfect palette for your project. All color processing happens locally in your browser for complete privacy.