Build Your Design System with Precision.
Tailwind CSS changed the way we build the web, but creating custom color palettes that match its meticulously crafted default scales is hard. Most random generators create uneven steps or muddy mid-tones.
Our Tailwind Palette Generator uses a custom luminance interpolation algorithm to take your single brand color and expand it into a professionally balanced 11-step scale (50-950). It ensures your 50s are light enough for backgrounds and your 950s are dark enough for text, while keeping the vibrant character of your hue intact.
Smart Scaling
We don't just lighten and darken. We adjust saturation curves to keep colors looking natural at every step of the scale.
Config Ready
Get a pre-formatted JSON object ready to paste directly into your tailwind.config.js theme extension.
Instant Preview
See your colors applied to real UI components like Buttons, Alerts, and Badges in real-time before you export.
CSS Variables
Not using Tailwind? No problem. Export standard CSS variables to use this professional color system in any project.
Pro Tips for Tailwind Palettes
- • Dark mode pairing: Use 50-200 for light backgrounds, 800-950 for dark mode equivalents.
- • Text on color: For text on colored backgrounds, use 50 on 600+ or 900+ on 100-200.
- • Border shades: Borders typically work best 1-2 steps darker than the background.
- • Hover states: Go 1 step darker (e.g., 500→600) for consistent interactive feedback.
Who Uses This Tool?
Startup Founders
Create a professional color system without hiring a designer.
Design System Engineers
Rapidly prototype color tokens for enterprise systems.
Freelance Web Designers
Speed up client projects with instant palette generation.
Component Library Authors
Define themeable color scales for open source projects.
Tailwind Color Best Practices
When extending the Tailwind theme, it's easy to make mistakes that clutter your utility classes. Here is how professional teams manage their design systems:
Use Semantic Names? Maybe not.
Some experts suggest naming colors "Primary" or "Secondary". However, Tailwind creators recommend keeping names descriptive of the color itself (like "Emerald" or "Ocean"). This allows you to have bg-ocean-500 which is unambiguous, rather than a generic bg-primary that might be confusing if you have multiple brands.
Don't overwrite, Extend.
Always put your custom colors inside theme.extend.colors rather than theme.colors. Using `extend` preserves the default Tailwind palette, so you can still use `text-white` or `bg-red-500` alongside your custom colors.
The Importance of 950
Tailwind v3.3 added the 950 step. This is crucial for **Dark Mode**. The 900 step is often too bright for a dark mode background, and black is too harsh. 950 sits in the sweet spot for main backgrounds in dark interfaces.
How our algorithm works
We map your input color to the closest standard step (usually 500 or 600) based on its lightness. Then, we use a Bezier-like curve to calculate the other steps.
This avoids the common linear interpolation problem where light colors become washed out gray. We maintain a "chroma bridge" that ensures even your lightest tints (50, 100) retain a whisper of the original hue, making for warm, inviting interfaces rather than clinical, sterile ones.
Other Color Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tailwind 50-950 color scale?
In standard Tailwind CSS, colors are defined on a numeric scale from 50 to 950. '50' represents the lightest tint (often used for backgrounds), while '950' is the darkest shade (used for high-contrast text). The base color is typically centered around '500' or '600' for optimal balance.
How do I add these colors to my Tailwind config?
Simply copy the generated JSON object from our tool. Then, open your tailwind.config.js file and paste the code inside the theme.extend.colors object. This allows you to use utility classes like bg-brand-500 or text-brand-900 immediately.
Can I use these colors with vanilla CSS?
Yes! Switch the export mode to CSS Variables. You can then verify copy the :root block into your global CSS file. You can access these colors using var(--color-brand-500) in any stylesheet.
Why should I use a custom palette instead of default Tailwind colors?
While Tailwind's default colors are excellent, using a custom palette ensures your website matches your specific brand identity. Our generator ensures that your custom brand color gets the same professional 10-step shading treatment as the default colors.
How is the 950 shade different from 900?
Tailwind introduced the '950' step in v3.3 to provides deeper, richer dark mode backgrounds. It simulates the look of ink on paper and offers better contrast for dark mode UIs than the standard 900 step.
Does this tool support other frameworks like Bootstrap?
While generated specifically for Tailwind's naming convention, the hex codes and 10-step scale are universal. You can easily adapt the output for Bootstrap (using SASS variables) or Material UI themes.
Is the generated palette accessible?
Generally, yes. We use a luminance-based algorithm to ensure good spread. However, you should always check the contrast ratio of text against backgrounds. For standard accessibility, aim to use 700-950 shades for text on 50-200 backgrounds.
What is the best way to name my custom colors?
Avoid naming colors after the hue itself (like 'blue'). Instead, use functional names (like 'primary', 'secondary', 'accent') or brand-specific names (like 'ocean', 'crimson'). This makes refactoring easier in the future.
Can I generate a palette from an image?
Yes! Use our Image Color Picker tool to extract a base hex code from your logo or photograph, and then paste that code here to generate the full scale.
Why do some colors look saturated at lighter steps?
Our algorithm preserves the saturation of your base color to prevent 'muddy' pastels. This keeps your brand identity vibrant even at the lightest tints, which is modern UI design best practice.
Can I use this with Tailwind v4?
Yes! Tailwind v4 uses CSS-first configuration. Export as CSS Variables and import them in your CSS file. The scale structure remains compatible with v4's color utilities.
How do I create a monochrome palette?
Start with a neutral gray like #6B7280 (Tailwind's gray-500). The generator will create a balanced grayscale from near-white to near-black, perfect for text and UI elements.