Why untinted neutrals?

Editorial photography and advertising look neutral against a neutral page, and the contrast maths stays simple. Tinted neutrals are fine as long as they are re-verified.

Is AAA link colour necessary?

Not required, but links sit inside body text where legibility is paramount. The extra contrast is cheap with a dark blue.

How do I handle section colours?

Give each section a hue, then solve lightness against the page with the Fix tool. Use section colours for labels, not for body text.

Can I use the red for error messages?

The error role is a separate verified red. The accent red is meant for editorial labels. Both are in the table.

OKLCH Studio · Accessible palettes · Industries

Accessible color palette for news and publishing (WCAG 2.2 verified)

Updated 2026-10-19

News and publishing sites are text first. Readers spend minutes, not seconds, on a single page, and the most important accessibility factor is how comfortable the article body is to read. Contrast, size and line length decide whether someone finishes the piece. Headlines, bylines, captions and links all have to be distinguished clearly from each other.

Publishers also carry colour-coded sections, breaking-news banners, live blogs and paywall prompts, each adding pairs to check. The palette provides verified roles for each: strong text, muted text for bylines and timestamps, link blue, a red accent for breaking labels, and status badges for Live and Updated.

WCAG 2.2 AA is the usual reference for media sites, and public broadcasters often carry explicit obligations. This palette meets AA everywhere, uses AAA for body text and the link colour, and is not legal advice.

How to build a palette like this by hand is explained in the accessible colour palette guide; this page is the finished, verified result.

The palette: light and dark

Hex values are the sRGB result after gamut mapping. The oklch() values are those of the final hex, so converting either gives the same colour.

Appointment confirmed

Secondary text sits on the surface colour.

Link in primary · Accent text

Primary buttonSuccessWarningErrorInfo

Light theme

Background
#FCFCFC
oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Surface
#FEFEFE
oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Text
#1B1B1B
oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Muted text
#585858
oklch(0.460 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Primary
#1A579E
oklch(0.458 0.130 255.1)
Sample text
Primary foreground
#FCFCFC
oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Accent
#A72126
oklch(0.476 0.169 25.0)
Sample text
Border
#919191
oklch(0.657 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Focus ring
#17559B
oklch(0.4508 0.1295 254.79)
Sample text
Success
#00845A
oklch(0.5422 0.1184 162.29)
Sample text
Success fill
#008558
oklch(0.545 0.122 160.9)
Sample text
Success fill label
#FCFCFC
oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Warning
#A46600
oklch(0.5651 0.1234 68.77)
Sample text
Warning fill
#FFBA44
oklch(0.8335 0.1508 76.88)
Sample text
Warning fill label
#0F0F0F
oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Error
#A21A1B
oklch(0.4603 0.1706 26.95)
Sample text
Error fill
#C8322E
oklch(0.551 0.187 27.1)
Sample text
Error fill label
#FCFCFC
oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Info
#2274AF
oklch(0.540 0.120 245.0)
Sample text
Info fill
#1377B9
oklch(0.5501 0.1324 245.13)
Sample text
Info fill label
#FCFCFC
oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)
Sample text

Appointment confirmed

Secondary text sits on the surface colour.

Link in primary · Accent text

Primary buttonSuccessWarningErrorInfo

Dark theme

Background
#161616
oklch(0.200 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Surface
#202020
oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Text
#EEEEEE
oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Muted text
#BEBEBE
oklch(0.802 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Primary
#83C1FF
oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4)
Sample text
Primary foreground
#0D0D0D
oklch(0.159 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Accent
#FF938B
oklch(0.776 0.131 25.0)
Sample text
Border
#6B6B6B
oklch(0.528 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Focus ring
#83C1FF
oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4)
Sample text
Success
#6CE5B5
oklch(0.839 0.130 164.9)
Sample text
Success fill
#3BCD9A
oklch(0.759 0.143 165.0)
Sample text
Success fill label
#0F0F0F
oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Warning
#FFBC56
oklch(0.839 0.140 75.1)
Sample text
Warning fill
#E9A11D
oklch(0.7605 0.1539 75.30)
Sample text
Warning fill label
#0F0F0F
oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Error
#F66D62
oklch(0.700 0.171 27.0)
Sample text
Error fill
#FF7A6D
oklch(0.732 0.165 27.5)
Sample text
Error fill label
#0F0F0F
oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)
Sample text
Info
#71BFFF
oklch(0.780 0.120 245.0)
Sample text
Info fill
#61B9FF
oklch(0.760 0.132 244.8)
Sample text
Info fill label
#0F0F0F
oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)
Sample text

Contrast table: every verified pair

Pass or fail uses the raw WCAG 2.x ratio; the ratio shown is floored to two decimals so a near miss is never rounded up. APCA Lc is signed: positive is dark on light, negative is light on dark. Each row opens the pair in the checker.

Light theme: 25 pairs
Pair	WCAG ratio	Target	Normal AA / AAA	Large AA / AAA	APCA Lc	APCA tier	Check
Text on background#1b1b1b on #fcfcfc	16.78:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+102.3	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Text on surface#1b1b1b on #fefefe	17.07:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+103.5	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Muted text on background#585858 on #fcfcfc	6.93:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+82.9	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Muted text on surface#585858 on #fefefe	7.05:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+84.1	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Primary as link text on background#1a579e on #fcfcfc	7.05:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+82.9	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Primary as link text on surface#1a579e on #fefefe	7.17:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+84.1	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Button label on primary#fcfcfc on #1a579e	7.05:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−87.6	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Accent text on background#a72126 on #fcfcfc	7.08:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+81.9	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Accent text on surface#a72126 on #fefefe	7.20:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+83.1	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Border on background#919191 on #fcfcfc	3.07:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Fail / Fail	Pass / Fail	+56.8	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Border on surface#919191 on #fefefe	3.12:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Fail / Fail	Pass / Fail	+58.0	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Focus ring on background#17559b on #fcfcfc	7.28:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+83.7	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Focus ring on surface#17559b on #fefefe	7.41:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+84.9	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Success text on background#00845a on #fcfcfc	4.60:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+70.4	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Success text on surface#00845a on #fefefe	4.68:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+71.6	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Success badge label on fill#fcfcfc on #008558	4.55:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	−75.3	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Warning text on background#a46600 on #fcfcfc	4.56:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+70.4	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Warning text on surface#a46600 on #fefefe	4.64:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+71.6	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Warning badge label on fill#0f0f0f on #ffba44	11.28:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+73.2	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Error text on background#a21a1b on #fcfcfc	7.58:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+83.5	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Error text on surface#a21a1b on #fefefe	7.71:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+84.7	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Error badge label on fill#fcfcfc on #c8322e	5.17:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	−78.4	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Info text on background#2274af on #fcfcfc	4.89:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+72.5	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Info text on surface#2274af on #fefefe	4.97:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	+73.7	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Info badge label on fill#fcfcfc on #1377b9	4.68:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	−76.3	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker

Dark theme: 25 pairs
Pair	WCAG ratio	Target	Normal AA / AAA	Large AA / AAA	APCA Lc	APCA tier	Check
Text on background#eeeeee on #161616	15.59:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−95.8	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Text on surface#eeeeee on #202020	14.04:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−94.6	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Muted text on background#bebebe on #161616	9.73:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−66.5	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Muted text on surface#bebebe on #202020	8.76:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−65.3	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Primary as link text on background#83c1ff on #161616	9.51:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−65.4	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Primary as link text on surface#83c1ff on #202020	8.56:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−64.2	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Button label on primary#0d0d0d on #83c1ff	10.21:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+67.4	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Accent text on background#ff938b on #161616	8.44:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−59.6	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Accent text on surface#ff938b on #202020	7.60:1	AAA 7:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−58.4	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Border on background#6b6b6b on #161616	3.39:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Fail / Fail	Pass / Fail	−24.3	Below Lc 30	Open in checker
Border on surface#6b6b6b on #202020	3.05:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Fail / Fail	Pass / Fail	−23.1	Below Lc 30	Open in checker
Focus ring on background#83c1ff on #161616	9.51:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−65.4	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Focus ring on surface#83c1ff on #202020	8.56:1	3:1 (WCAG 1.4.11)	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−64.2	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Success text on background#6ce5b5 on #161616	11.64:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−77.0	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Success text on surface#6ce5b5 on #202020	10.48:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−75.8	Lc 75: body text	Open in checker
Success badge label on fill#0f0f0f on #3bcd9a	9.47:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+64.6	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Warning text on background#ffbc56 on #161616	10.84:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−72.7	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Warning text on surface#ffbc56 on #202020	9.76:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−71.5	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Warning badge label on fill#0f0f0f on #e9a11d	8.74:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+60.6	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Error text on background#f66d62 on #161616	6.27:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	−46.5	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Error text on surface#f66d62 on #202020	5.65:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Fail	Pass / Pass	−45.3	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Error badge label on fill#0f0f0f on #ff7a6d	7.53:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+54.2	Lc 45: headlines and large text	Open in checker
Info text on background#71bfff on #161616	9.13:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−63.4	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Info text on surface#71bfff on #202020	8.22:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	−62.2	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker
Info badge label on fill#0f0f0f on #61b9ff	9.02:1	AA 4.5:1	Pass / Pass	Pass / Pass	+62.1	Lc 60: larger content text	Open in checker

Status colours and colour blindness

The four status fills were simulated for protanopia, deuteranopia and tritanopia (Machado et al., 2009). Success against error, the pair most often confused, must stay at least 6 ΔE-OK ×100 apart under every simulation. The other pairs are shown for information, so keep an icon and a word on every status.

Light theme, status fills
Pair	Normal vision	Protanopia	Deuteranopia	Tritanopia	Held to 6
success / warning	34.2	26.0	39.0	31.7	Shown only
success / error	28.5	16.6	6.5	33.0	Yes
success / info	17.1	16.2	15.2	3.2	Shown only
warning / error	31.8	42.0	37.4	22.6	Shown only
warning / info	40.0	34.2	44.5	31.2	Shown only
error / info	30.3	24.1	21.6	33.0	Shown only

Fills as simulated:Normal visionProtanopiaDeuteranopiaTritanopia

Dark theme, status fills
Pair	Normal vision	Protanopia	Deuteranopia	Tritanopia	Held to 6
success / warning	20.9	11.8	15.5	27.5	Shown only
success / error	28.8	15.3	6.4	31.3	Yes
success / info	17.7	15.2	14.3	3.8	Shown only
warning / error	13.3	13.2	10.5	5.5	Shown only
warning / info	28.5	26.0	28.7	26.2	Shown only
error / info	28.3	21.8	20.8	29.7	Shown only

Fills as simulated:Normal visionProtanopiaDeuteranopiaTritanopia

Why these colours

The neutrals are untinted. A newspaper page is black on white by tradition, and photographs and ads around the article look their best against true neutrals. The primary is a link blue at OKLCH hue 255, verified at AAA so that inline links in body text are legible as well as underlined.

The accent is a news red at hue 25 and chroma 0.17, used for the Breaking label and live indicators. Because red is also the error hue, its use is limited to those labels and it always travels with words. In dark mode the blue and red rise in lightness rather than saturating, which avoids vibrating text on a black background.

Article pages also benefit from restraint in how the palette is applied. Keep the accent red to labels, never to headlines or body text, and keep section colours away from the text column. A reader who arrives from a search result or a shared link sees only the one page, so each page has to carry its own clarity without relying on a familiar navigation pattern.

The generator solved 50 pairs (25 light, 25 dark), and all of them meet their target on the raw WCAG ratio. The tightest is primary as link text on background in the light theme at 7.05:1 against a target of 7:1. After gamut mapping to sRGB the light primary keeps 100% of the requested chroma; hue was held throughout.

How to use it

Keep links underlined in body copy; blue alone does not meet WCAG 1.4.1 for distinguishing links from text.
Use the muted text colour for bylines and timestamps, which is verified at AA, and the full colour for headlines and article text.
Show Live or Breaking with a word and an icon, not just a red dot.
Make paywall and consent banners meet the same pairs as the article, as they sit directly on content.
Use the dark theme as an option and keep charts embedded in articles to the data visualization palette.

Export

Generated from the verified values above, never typed by hand. Light and dark are both included.

CSS custom properties (hex, then oklch())

/* sRGB hex first: every browser. */
:root {
  --color-background: #fcfcfc;
  --color-surface: #fefefe;
  --color-text: #1b1b1b;
  --color-text-muted: #585858;
  --color-primary: #1a579e;
  --color-primary-foreground: #fcfcfc;
  --color-accent: #a72126;
  --color-border: #919191;
  --color-focus-ring: #17559b;
  --color-success: #00845a;
  --color-success-solid: #008558;
  --color-success-solid-foreground: #fcfcfc;
  --color-warning: #a46600;
  --color-warning-solid: #ffba44;
  --color-warning-solid-foreground: #0f0f0f;
  --color-error: #a21a1b;
  --color-error-solid: #c8322e;
  --color-error-solid-foreground: #fcfcfc;
  --color-info: #2274af;
  --color-info-solid: #1377b9;
  --color-info-solid-foreground: #fcfcfc;
}
.dark {
  --color-background: #161616;
  --color-surface: #202020;
  --color-text: #eeeeee;
  --color-text-muted: #bebebe;
  --color-primary: #83c1ff;
  --color-primary-foreground: #0d0d0d;
  --color-accent: #ff938b;
  --color-border: #6b6b6b;
  --color-focus-ring: #83c1ff;
  --color-success: #6ce5b5;
  --color-success-solid: #3bcd9a;
  --color-success-solid-foreground: #0f0f0f;
  --color-warning: #ffbc56;
  --color-warning-solid: #e9a11d;
  --color-warning-solid-foreground: #0f0f0f;
  --color-error: #f66d62;
  --color-error-solid: #ff7a6d;
  --color-error-solid-foreground: #0f0f0f;
  --color-info: #71bfff;
  --color-info-solid: #61b9ff;
  --color-info-solid-foreground: #0f0f0f;
}

/* oklch() where supported: the same colours, unclipped values of the hex above. */
@supports (color: oklch(0 0 0)) {
  :root {
    --color-background: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
    --color-surface: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0);
    --color-text: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0);
    --color-text-muted: oklch(0.460 0.000 0.0);
    --color-primary: oklch(0.458 0.130 255.1);
    --color-primary-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
    --color-accent: oklch(0.476 0.169 25.0);
    --color-border: oklch(0.657 0.000 0.0);
    --color-focus-ring: oklch(0.4508 0.1295 254.79);
    --color-success: oklch(0.5422 0.1184 162.29);
    --color-success-solid: oklch(0.545 0.122 160.9);
    --color-success-solid-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
    --color-warning: oklch(0.5651 0.1234 68.77);
    --color-warning-solid: oklch(0.8335 0.1508 76.88);
    --color-warning-solid-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
    --color-error: oklch(0.4603 0.1706 26.95);
    --color-error-solid: oklch(0.551 0.187 27.1);
    --color-error-solid-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
    --color-info: oklch(0.540 0.120 245.0);
    --color-info-solid: oklch(0.5501 0.1324 245.13);
    --color-info-solid-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
  }
  .dark {
    --color-background: oklch(0.200 0.000 0.0);
    --color-surface: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0);
    --color-text: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0);
    --color-text-muted: oklch(0.802 0.000 0.0);
    --color-primary: oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4);
    --color-primary-foreground: oklch(0.159 0.000 0.0);
    --color-accent: oklch(0.776 0.131 25.0);
    --color-border: oklch(0.528 0.000 0.0);
    --color-focus-ring: oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4);
    --color-success: oklch(0.839 0.130 164.9);
    --color-success-solid: oklch(0.759 0.143 165.0);
    --color-success-solid-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
    --color-warning: oklch(0.839 0.140 75.1);
    --color-warning-solid: oklch(0.7605 0.1539 75.30);
    --color-warning-solid-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
    --color-error: oklch(0.700 0.171 27.0);
    --color-error-solid: oklch(0.732 0.165 27.5);
    --color-error-solid-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
    --color-info: oklch(0.780 0.120 245.0);
    --color-info-solid: oklch(0.760 0.132 244.8);
    --color-info-solid-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
  }
}

Tailwind CSS v4 @theme

@theme {
  /* light */
  --color-background: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0); /* #fcfcfc */
  --color-surface: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0); /* #fefefe */
  --color-text: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0); /* #1b1b1b */
  --color-text-muted: oklch(0.460 0.000 0.0); /* #585858 */
  --color-primary: oklch(0.458 0.130 255.1); /* #1a579e */
  --color-primary-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0); /* #fcfcfc */
  --color-accent: oklch(0.476 0.169 25.0); /* #a72126 */
  --color-border: oklch(0.657 0.000 0.0); /* #919191 */
  --color-focus-ring: oklch(0.4508 0.1295 254.79); /* #17559b */
  --color-success: oklch(0.5422 0.1184 162.29); /* #00845a */
  --color-success-solid: oklch(0.545 0.122 160.9); /* #008558 */
  --color-success-solid-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0); /* #fcfcfc */
  --color-warning: oklch(0.5651 0.1234 68.77); /* #a46600 */
  --color-warning-solid: oklch(0.8335 0.1508 76.88); /* #ffba44 */
  --color-warning-solid-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0); /* #0f0f0f */
  --color-error: oklch(0.4603 0.1706 26.95); /* #a21a1b */
  --color-error-solid: oklch(0.551 0.187 27.1); /* #c8322e */
  --color-error-solid-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0); /* #fcfcfc */
  --color-info: oklch(0.540 0.120 245.0); /* #2274af */
  --color-info-solid: oklch(0.5501 0.1324 245.13); /* #1377b9 */
  --color-info-solid-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0); /* #fcfcfc */
  /* dark: use as dark:bg-background-dark, or remap under a .dark selector */
  --color-background-dark: oklch(0.200 0.000 0.0); /* #161616 */
  --color-surface-dark: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0); /* #202020 */
  --color-text-dark: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0); /* #eeeeee */
  --color-text-muted-dark: oklch(0.802 0.000 0.0); /* #bebebe */
  --color-primary-dark: oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4); /* #83c1ff */
  --color-primary-foreground-dark: oklch(0.159 0.000 0.0); /* #0d0d0d */
  --color-accent-dark: oklch(0.776 0.131 25.0); /* #ff938b */
  --color-border-dark: oklch(0.528 0.000 0.0); /* #6b6b6b */
  --color-focus-ring-dark: oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4); /* #83c1ff */
  --color-success-dark: oklch(0.839 0.130 164.9); /* #6ce5b5 */
  --color-success-solid-dark: oklch(0.759 0.143 165.0); /* #3bcd9a */
  --color-success-solid-foreground-dark: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0); /* #0f0f0f */
  --color-warning-dark: oklch(0.839 0.140 75.1); /* #ffbc56 */
  --color-warning-solid-dark: oklch(0.7605 0.1539 75.30); /* #e9a11d */
  --color-warning-solid-foreground-dark: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0); /* #0f0f0f */
  --color-error-dark: oklch(0.700 0.171 27.0); /* #f66d62 */
  --color-error-solid-dark: oklch(0.732 0.165 27.5); /* #ff7a6d */
  --color-error-solid-foreground-dark: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0); /* #0f0f0f */
  --color-info-dark: oklch(0.780 0.120 245.0); /* #71bfff */
  --color-info-solid-dark: oklch(0.760 0.132 244.8); /* #61b9ff */
  --color-info-solid-foreground-dark: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0); /* #0f0f0f */
}

shadcn/ui variables (:root and .dark)

:root {
  --background: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
  --foreground: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0);
  --card: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0);
  --card-foreground: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0);
  --popover: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0);
  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0);
  --primary: oklch(0.458 0.130 255.1);
  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
  --secondary: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0);
  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0);
  --muted: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0);
  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.460 0.000 0.0);
  --accent: oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0);
  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0);
  --destructive: oklch(0.551 0.187 27.1);
  --destructive-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
  --border: oklch(0.657 0.000 0.0);
  --input: oklch(0.657 0.000 0.0);
  --ring: oklch(0.4508 0.1295 254.79);
  --success: oklch(0.545 0.122 160.9);
  --success-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
  --warning: oklch(0.8335 0.1508 76.88);
  --warning-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
  --info: oklch(0.5501 0.1324 245.13);
  --info-foreground: oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0);
  --brand-accent: oklch(0.476 0.169 25.0);
}

.dark {
  --background: oklch(0.200 0.000 0.0);
  --foreground: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0);
  --card: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0);
  --card-foreground: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0);
  --popover: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0);
  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0);
  --primary: oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4);
  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.159 0.000 0.0);
  --secondary: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0);
  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0);
  --muted: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0);
  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.802 0.000 0.0);
  --accent: oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0);
  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0);
  --destructive: oklch(0.732 0.165 27.5);
  --destructive-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
  --border: oklch(0.528 0.000 0.0);
  --input: oklch(0.528 0.000 0.0);
  --ring: oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4);
  --success: oklch(0.759 0.143 165.0);
  --success-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
  --warning: oklch(0.7605 0.1539 75.30);
  --warning-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
  --info: oklch(0.760 0.132 244.8);
  --info-foreground: oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0);
  --brand-accent: oklch(0.776 0.131 25.0);
}

Design tokens (DTCG-style JSON)

{
  "color": {
    "light": {
      "background": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #fcfcfc"
      },
      "surface": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.997 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #fefefe"
      },
      "text": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.222 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #1b1b1b"
      },
      "text-muted": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.460 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #585858"
      },
      "primary": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.458 0.130 255.1)",
        "$description": "sRGB #1a579e"
      },
      "primary-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #fcfcfc"
      },
      "accent": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.476 0.169 25.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #a72126"
      },
      "border": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.657 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #919191"
      },
      "focus-ring": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.4508 0.1295 254.79)",
        "$description": "sRGB #17559b"
      },
      "success": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.5422 0.1184 162.29)",
        "$description": "sRGB #00845a"
      },
      "success-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.545 0.122 160.9)",
        "$description": "sRGB #008558"
      },
      "success-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #fcfcfc"
      },
      "warning": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.5651 0.1234 68.77)",
        "$description": "sRGB #a46600"
      },
      "warning-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.8335 0.1508 76.88)",
        "$description": "sRGB #ffba44"
      },
      "warning-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #0f0f0f"
      },
      "error": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.4603 0.1706 26.95)",
        "$description": "sRGB #a21a1b"
      },
      "error-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.551 0.187 27.1)",
        "$description": "sRGB #c8322e"
      },
      "error-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #fcfcfc"
      },
      "info": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.540 0.120 245.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #2274af"
      },
      "info-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.5501 0.1324 245.13)",
        "$description": "sRGB #1377b9"
      },
      "info-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.991 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #fcfcfc"
      }
    },
    "dark": {
      "background": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.200 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #161616"
      },
      "surface": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.244 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #202020"
      },
      "text": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.949 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #eeeeee"
      },
      "text-muted": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.802 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #bebebe"
      },
      "primary": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4)",
        "$description": "sRGB #83c1ff"
      },
      "primary-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.159 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #0d0d0d"
      },
      "accent": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.776 0.131 25.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #ff938b"
      },
      "border": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.528 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #6b6b6b"
      },
      "focus-ring": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.793 0.109 249.4)",
        "$description": "sRGB #83c1ff"
      },
      "success": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.839 0.130 164.9)",
        "$description": "sRGB #6ce5b5"
      },
      "success-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.759 0.143 165.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #3bcd9a"
      },
      "success-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #0f0f0f"
      },
      "warning": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.839 0.140 75.1)",
        "$description": "sRGB #ffbc56"
      },
      "warning-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.7605 0.1539 75.30)",
        "$description": "sRGB #e9a11d"
      },
      "warning-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #0f0f0f"
      },
      "error": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.700 0.171 27.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #f66d62"
      },
      "error-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.732 0.165 27.5)",
        "$description": "sRGB #ff7a6d"
      },
      "error-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #0f0f0f"
      },
      "info": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.780 0.120 245.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #71bfff"
      },
      "info-solid": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.760 0.132 244.8)",
        "$description": "sRGB #61b9ff"
      },
      "info-solid-foreground": {
        "$type": "color",
        "$value": "oklch(0.168 0.000 0.0)",
        "$description": "sRGB #0f0f0f"
      }
    }
  }
}

Open in the studio

Take the primary colour into the picker, build a tonal scale from it, or check any pair of your own.

Open #1A579E in the OKLCH picker →Build a tonal scale →Check a pair

FAQ

Why untinted neutrals?: Editorial photography and advertising look neutral against a neutral page, and the contrast maths stays simple. Tinted neutrals are fine as long as they are re-verified.
Is AAA link colour necessary?: Not required, but links sit inside body text where legibility is paramount. The extra contrast is cheap with a dark blue.
How do I handle section colours?: Give each section a hue, then solve lightness against the page with the Fix tool. Use section colours for labels, not for body text.
Can I use the red for error messages?: The error role is a separate verified red. The accent red is meant for editorial labels. Both are in the table.

← All accessible palettes