Palette · 60-30-10

Mood Board Palette Extractor

Pick a base color and a style descriptor; get a working 60-30-10 palette with WCAG contrast checks. The classic 60% dominant / 30% secondary / 10% accent distribution prevents the over-saturated look that derails most DIY rooms.

Inputs

What problem this solves

Choosing one paint color is hard; choosing four that work together is much harder. Most online palette generators give you pleasing combinations but ignore the dominant-secondary-accent distribution. The result is a room that “looks right on the screen” but feels over-coordinated (every color equal weight) or under-coordinated (all neutrals).

Who it’s for

Designers building presentation palettes for clients
DIY homeowners who already picked a base color and need supporting hues
Anyone running contrast checks for accessibility

Limitations

Algorithm uses HSL transforms; perceptual color shifts may differ in CIE Lab
Style descriptors are educated guesses; taste is subjective
60-30-10 is a starting distribution — adjust for your specific room
Adjacent-material reflectance shifts perceived color

Common questions

Why three colors and not five?

Three is the minimum for visual hierarchy. Five or more colors reads as a curated palette (art gallery, gallery wall) and works for some styles but most residential rooms need a clear dominant, secondary, and accent. The tool lets you adjust if your style demands more variety.

Are these WCAG-safe for accessibility?

For walls and floors (large surfaces), contrast only matters where text or critical controls appear. For accent colors used in switch plates, signage, or fixtures, run the contrast check and target WCAG AA (4.5:1 for body text, 3:1 for large).

Should the base color be the dominant or the accent?

Typically the dominant. If you picked a saturated red as your base, it’s the 60%, not the 10%. Reserve the accent role for muted or contrasting tones.

About this tool

One of 36 interior design calculators on InteriorLab. Calculations are client-side; no values stored.

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Disclaimer

Style suggestions are interpretive. Taste is subjective — use the output as a starting point. See full Disclaimer.