Scientific Color Palette Generator for Research Figures

Use categorical colors for unordered groups, sequential colors for ordered measurements, and diverging colors around a meaningful reference. Okabe–Ito and Paul Tol bright identify treatments; Viridis and Plasma show low-to-high values. Red–blue and brown–green scales distinguish changes on either side of a center.

Choose 2–8 colors with Okabe–Ito, 2–7 with Paul Tol bright, or 3–12 sampled Viridis or Plasma colors. Diverging palettes support 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 colors to preserve a neutral center. Match categorical colors to group count, and add labels or markers when groups are difficult to distinguish.

Enter a six-digit HEX value or use the color picker in Categories mode to lock that group automatically. Locked colors stay fixed when switching categorical presets or reversing the palette. Uncheck Lock to let the next preset change replace a color. Export the named mapping for consistent manuscript panels.

The review compares every pair of category colors in original, protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia and grayscale views. It names the closest pair and shows simulated swatches with Euclidean Oklab distance multiplied by 100. Lower values mean closer colors in this model; the number is not a universal visibility threshold or accessibility certification.

Load a chart example to apply its preset and inspect the exact colors in the live preview. Switch between original, simulated color vision and grayscale views, then check the closest named pairs. Add markers or line styles where needed. Simulations do not certify accessibility; exports retain your original palette colors.

Select Python for a Matplotlib example or R for base R code, then replace the illustrative data with your measurements. Categorical exports include named color mappings. For Excel or PowerPoint, copy each swatch’s HEX code or RGB values into the application’s color controls manually; the generator does not export workbook or presentation files.

Download or copy the JSON export. In another session, paste it into Restore a saved palette and select Restore palette. Valid group names, custom colors, locks, chart type, count and background return together. Invalid JSON leaves your current palette unchanged. Keep the exported file because changes are not automatically saved across refreshes.

Choose a data type, select a preset and set the color count in this online generator. Name your groups, customize colors, preview the chart and export the palette. Editing runs in your browser without an account or research data upload. Save the JSON export to restore your settings later.