Practical color tool

Chart Color Palette Generator

Generate distinct chart colors for dashboards and data visualization, then check contrast and color blindness risk.

What this page gives you

  • Use triadic or tetradic palettes when categories need separation.
  • Avoid using red and green as the only difference between states.
  • Check chart colors on light and dark backgrounds before export.

Good for

  • Dashboards
  • Reports
  • Data visualization
Can I use this with the main generator?

Yes. Start from this page, then open the main Chromoforge tool with the same base color and export the palette.

How many series colors can a chart carry?

Six to eight categorical colors is the practical ceiling. Beyond that, adjacent hues stop being distinguishable at small sizes. Group the long tail into an "other" bucket, or switch to a sequential or diverging scale built from one hue.

Do chart colors need to pass WCAG contrast?

Yes, in part. WCAG 1.4.11 asks for 3:1 between meaningful graphical elements and their background or adjacent colors. Text labels inside a chart still need 4.5:1. Never encode meaning through hue alone: add direct labels, shapes or patterns.