Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about color palettes, format conversion, accessibility, and exporting color systems.
How does the color palette generator work?
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The palette generator creates 5–8 harmonious colors using color theory algorithms: analogous, complementary, triadic, tetradic, monochromatic, shades/tints, or random harmonious. You set a base color and mode, click Generate, and optionally lock swatches you like before regenerating. Each swatch shows HEX, RGB, and HSL values with one-click copy.
What is the WCAG contrast ratio requirement?
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WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text (AA) and 7:1 for AAA compliance. Large text (18pt+ bold or 24pt+ regular) requires 3:1 for AA and 4.5:1 for AAA. The contrast checker calculates the exact ratio using relative luminance and shows pass/fail for all four thresholds simultaneously with live text previews.
Can I extract a color palette from an image?
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Yes. Upload any image and the tool uses the browser's Canvas API to sample prominent colors and build a palette. The image is processed entirely locally — nothing is uploaded to a server. This works with photos, screenshots, artwork, and design mockups. The extracted palette loads directly into the generator for further refinement.
What is color blindness simulation and why does it matter?
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Color blindness simulation shows how your palette appears to people with protanopia (red-blind), deuteranopia (green-blind), or tritanopia (blue-blind). About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency. Testing your palette against these simulations helps ensure your interfaces remain distinguishable and accessible to all users.
Does the HEX/RGB/HSL converter support alpha transparency?
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Yes. The converter handles RGBA (rgba(125, 211, 252, 0.5)) and HSLA (hsla(199, 95%, 74%, 0.5)) with a dedicated opacity slider from 0–100%. Conversions update bidirectionally in real time across all three formats. You can also use the native color picker for visual selection.
What export formats are available for developers?
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Palettes can be exported or copied as CSS custom properties (--color-1: #7DD3FC), Tailwind config objects (colors: { brand1: '#7DD3FC' }), SCSS variables ($color-1: #7DD3FC), JSON design tokens, SVG swatch files, or PNG images. All formats are production-ready and can be pasted directly into your codebase or design system.
Are my saved colors and palettes stored online?
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No. Favorites and saved palettes are stored only in your browser's localStorage on your device. Unlike Coolors (which requires an account for saving palettes), Prescosoft needs no account, no login, and no server communication. Clear your browser data and everything resets.