An HTML color picker is a must-have tool for web developers and designers who work with color codes in HTML and CSS. Instead of memorizing hex values or guessing RGB numbers, this tool lets you choose a color visually and instantly get the exact code you need in HEX, RGB, or HSL format — ready to paste directly into your stylesheet.
The ToolChemy HTML color picker above is fully interactive. Click the color wheel to select a base color, then fine-tune it using the HEX, RGB, or HSL input fields. All three formats stay synchronized — change one and the others update automatically. The tool also generates color harmony suggestions and a ready-to-use CSS code snippet.
How to Use the HTML Color Picker
Getting started with this HTML color picker takes just a few steps:
- Click the color square on the left to open your browser's native color chooser. Select any color visually.
- Fine-tune with inputs. Type a specific HEX code (like
#FF5733), adjust RGB values (0-255 each), or set HSL values (hue 0-360, saturation and lightness 0-100%). - Explore harmonies. The complementary, triadic, and analogous color swatches below the inputs show colors that pair well with your selection. Click any swatch to switch to that color.
- Copy the CSS code. Click "Copy CSS" to copy a complete CSS property like
background-color: #2563eb;to your clipboard.
Understanding Hex Color Codes in HTML
HEX color codes are the most common way to specify colors in HTML and CSS. A hex color picker like this one helps you find and convert these codes without memorizing the hexadecimal number system.
A hex code is a six-digit string preceded by a hash symbol. The format is #RRGGBB where RR is the red channel, GG is green, and BB is blue. Each pair is a hexadecimal number from 00 (no color) to FF (full intensity). For example:
#000000— Black (all channels at zero)#FFFFFF— White (all channels at maximum)#FF0000— Pure red#00FF00— Pure green#0000FF— Pure blue#2563EB— A medium blue (the default in this picker)
CSS also supports shorthand hex notation where each channel is one character: #RGB. This works when both digits of each pair are the same. For instance, #FF0000 can be shortened to #F00. For a deeper dive into hex code specifics, our dedicated hex color picker page covers the topic comprehensively.
RGB Color Values Explained
The RGB color model defines colors using three channels: red, green, and blue. Each channel accepts a value from 0 to 255, representing the intensity of that color component. When all three channels are combined at different levels, they produce any of 16.7 million possible colors.
In CSS, RGB colors are written as rgb(R, G, B). For example, rgb(37, 99, 235) is the same blue as #2563EB. The RGB format is often preferred in JavaScript because the individual channel values are easy to manipulate mathematically — for instance, you can lighten a color by increasing all three values proportionally.
Modern CSS also supports rgba(R, G, B, A) where A is an alpha (transparency) value from 0 (fully transparent) to 1 (fully opaque). This is useful for overlays, shadows, and semi-transparent backgrounds.
HSL: A More Intuitive Color Model
HSL stands for Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. Unlike RGB which is based on how screens emit light, HSL is based on how humans perceive color:
- Hue (H): The base color as a degree on the color wheel. 0° is red, 120° is green, 240° is blue, and 360° wraps back to red.
- Saturation (S): The intensity of the color. 0% is completely gray, 100% is the pure vibrant color.
- Lightness (L): How light or dark the color is. 0% is black, 50% is the pure color, 100% is white.
The CSS syntax is hsl(H, S%, L%). HSL is especially useful when you need to create variations of a color — to make a lighter tint, just increase L; to make a more muted tone, decrease S. This is much harder to do intuitively with HEX or RGB.
Color Harmonies for Design
The HTML color picker above automatically generates three types of color harmonies based on your selected color. These are mathematically derived color combinations that tend to look visually pleasing together:
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel (180° apart). They create strong visual contrast and are effective for highlighting important elements. For example, if your primary color is blue, its complement is orange. Use complementary colors sparingly — they work well for call-to-action buttons against a primary background.
Triadic Colors
Triadic colors are evenly spaced around the color wheel (120° apart), forming a triangle. This scheme provides vibrant variety while maintaining balance. Triadic palettes work well when you need three distinct colors that still feel harmonious — for example, in data visualizations or multi-section layouts.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are neighbors on the color wheel (30° apart). They create smooth, cohesive palettes that feel unified and calming. This is the most common harmony used in web design — think of a palette that ranges from blue to blue-green to green. Analogous schemes are low-contrast and comfortable for long reading experiences.
CSS Color Properties Reference
Once you have chosen a color with this picker, you can use it in numerous CSS properties. Here are the most common ones:
| CSS Property | Example Usage | What It Colors |
|---|---|---|
color |
color: #2563eb; |
Text content |
background-color |
background-color: #2563eb; |
Element background |
border-color |
border-color: #2563eb; |
Element borders |
box-shadow |
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(37,99,235,0.3); |
Shadow effects |
outline-color |
outline-color: #2563eb; |
Focus outlines |
Tips for Choosing Colors in Web Design
- Start with one primary color. Choose a single dominant color for your brand or project, then use harmonies to find supporting colors.
- Check contrast ratios. Text must have sufficient contrast against its background for accessibility. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text.
- Limit your palette. Most successful designs use 3-5 colors total: a primary, a secondary, one or two neutrals, and an accent.
- Use HSL for variations. When you need a lighter or darker shade of your primary color, adjust the lightness value in HSL rather than guessing new hex codes.
- Test on real screens. Colors look different on different monitors and in different lighting conditions. Always preview your colors on a real device.
Need to extract colors from an existing image or photo? Our color picker from image tool lets you upload any image and click to pick exact colors. For working with hex codes specifically, check out the hex color picker. And if you need a calculator alongside your design work, our scientific calculator online is free and browser-based.