About this tool
Extract the dominant colour palette from any image — get hex, RGB, and HSL codes for the top colours. Useful for design work (matching a brand to a photograph), accessibility checks (contrast ratios), or just curiosity. Drop in any image and get back a colour scheme you can paste into your design tool.
When to use it
- Building a design palette from a brand photo or mood board
- Matching website accent colours to a hero image
- Producing a colour scheme for a presentation from key visuals
- Identifying the dominant colour of a logo or product photo
- Checking colour fidelity between a reference image and your design
What to expect
The extractor uses k-means clustering to find the top dominant colours. Larger palettes capture more nuance; smaller palettes give you the essence. For accessibility-driven palette choices, supplement with a contrast checker — colour extraction alone doesn't guarantee WCAG compliance.
Frequently asked questions
How many colours can I extract?
Configurable — typically 5 to 12 dominant colours work well for most images. Above 12, colours start clustering closely and the palette loses distinctness.
Are the colours sorted by prevalence?
Yes. The first colour is the most dominant (largest cluster), the second is next, and so on. This matters when you want the palette in priority order.
Can I use the palette for branding?
Yes — copy the hex codes directly into your design tool. For brand work, supplement with contrast checks (WCAG AA / AAA) and consider how the colours look in different lights and on different surfaces.