Simpler Color
Simpler Color helps users create a complete color system for web projects.
About Simpler Color
Simpler Color is an open source library for JavaScript and TypeScript projects that generates a complete web color system. The developer supplies one base color, or several named base colors, and the library builds tonal palettes from them. The developer then maps those palette colors to UI roles such as primary buttons, surfaces, and text.
Palettes use a numeric key from 0 to 100 that represents lightness, so a key like primary(40) returns a specific shade of the base color. Developers can also write their own color mapping function and use string or discrete numeric key names. The library enforces the same set of color keys across a color set. The project states that it works in browsers, Node servers, React Native, and Electron. The excerpt does not cover the full API or the complete list of supported platforms.
Key features
- Generates five harmonious base colors from one brand color using harmony()
- Builds tonal palettes with numeric lightness keys from 0 to 100
- Maps palette colors to named UI roles with colorScheme()
- Allows a custom color mapping function and alternative color key names
- Enforces the same color keys across all palettes in a color set
Best for: Developers building JavaScript or TypeScript user interfaces who want a consistent color system generated from one or a few base colors.
Good for
- Open source, with the source code available in a public GitHub repository
- Can produce a full set of base colors from a single brand color
- Stated to work across browser, server, mobile, and desktop environments
Watch out for
- Limited to JavaScript and TypeScript projects
- The documentation does not cover color theory, so users unfamiliar with the terms may need outside reading
Simpler Color at a glance
- Category
- Design & Creative › Color Tools
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Simpler Color FAQ
Do I need a separate base color for every palette?
No. The harmony() function can generate five harmonious base colors from one main brand color. You can also define your own base colors manually.
Can I use my own color keys instead of numbers?
Yes. The project describes defining a custom color mapping function, which allows string keys such as 'dark' and 'light' or discrete numeric keys such as those used in Material Design 3.
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