Flat UI Color Picker
Discover and copy popular flat design colors used in modern web interfaces. Perfect for UI/UX designers, web developers, and digital creators seeking clean, contemporary color schemes.
Flat UI Color Picker
Discover and copy popular flat design colors used in modern web interfaces
Alizarin
A vibrant red perfect for call-to-action buttons
Pomegranate
A deeper red for emphasis and warnings
Peter River
A trustworthy blue ideal for primary buttons
Belize Hole
A professional blue for corporate designs
Emerald
Perfect for success messages and confirmations
Nephritis
A natural green for eco-friendly themes
Sun Flower
An energetic yellow for highlights and warnings
Orange
A warm orange for creative and playful designs
Amethyst
A creative purple for artistic applications
Wisteria
A sophisticated purple for premium brands
Concrete
A neutral gray for secondary text and borders
Asbestos
A darker gray for subtle backgrounds
Silver
A light gray for clean, minimal designs
Wet Asphalt
A dark blue-gray for professional headers
Midnight Blue
A sophisticated dark color for text and navigation
Turquoise
A fresh teal perfect for modern interfaces
Green Sea
A deeper teal for accent elements
Carrot
A vibrant orange for creative projects
Pumpkin
A bold orange for attention-grabbing elements
Clouds
A soft off-white for clean backgrounds
What is Flat Design?
Flat design is a minimalist design approach that emphasizes usability and clean aesthetics. It removes three-dimensional elements like drop shadows, gradients, and textures in favor of simple, two-dimensional elements with bright colors and crisp edges.
Key Characteristics of Flat Design:
- Minimalism: Clean, uncluttered interfaces with plenty of white space
- Bold Colors: Vibrant, saturated colors that create visual hierarchy
- Simple Typography: Sans-serif fonts that are easy to read
- Functional Icons: Simple, recognizable symbols without embellishments
- Grid-Based Layouts: Organized, structured designs that guide the eye
The flat design movement gained popularity with the release of iOS 7 in 2013 and has since become the standard for modern digital interfaces. It prioritizes content over decorative elements, resulting in faster loading times and better user experiences across all devices.
Flat Design Color Categories
Primary Colors
Bold, attention-grabbing colors like Alizarin and Peter River that serve as the main brand colors and call-to-action elements.
Neutral Colors
Sophisticated grays like Concrete and Wet Asphalt that provide balance and serve as backgrounds or secondary text colors.
Accent Colors
Supporting colors like Emerald and Turquoise that complement the primary palette and add visual interest without overwhelming the design.
Warning Colors
Alert colors like Sun Flower and Orange that draw attention to important messages, warnings, or notifications in the interface.
Creative Colors
Unique colors like Amethyst and Wisteria that add personality and creativity to designs, perfect for artistic or premium applications.
Modern Colors
Contemporary colors like Turquoise and Green Sea that reflect current design trends and work well in tech and startup interfaces.
How to Use Flat Colors in Your Designs
CSS Implementation
Design System Variables
Best Practices for Flat Color Usage
Contrast Ratios
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. Aim for at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Color Hierarchy
Use primary colors for main actions, secondary colors for supporting elements, and neutral colors for backgrounds.
Brand Consistency
Choose 2-3 primary colors that align with your brand identity and use them consistently throughout your design.
Psychology of Flat Design Colors
Colors in flat design aren't just aesthetic choices—they communicate emotions, guide user behavior, and influence decision-making. Understanding color psychology helps create more effective and engaging user interfaces.
Warm Colors (Reds, Oranges, Yellows)
- Red (Alizarin): Creates urgency, passion, and energy. Perfect for call-to-action buttons and error messages.
- Orange (Carrot): Conveys enthusiasm, creativity, and warmth. Great for creative platforms and social features.
- Yellow (Sun Flower): Represents optimism, attention, and caution. Ideal for warnings and highlighting important information.
Cool Colors (Blues, Greens, Purples)
- Blue (Peter River): Builds trust, professionalism, and calm. Essential for corporate websites and financial applications.
- Green (Emerald): Suggests growth, success, and nature. Perfect for confirmation messages and eco-friendly brands.
- Purple (Amethyst): Implies luxury, creativity, and innovation. Great for premium products and artistic platforms.
Cultural Considerations
Remember that color meanings can vary across cultures. While red signifies luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, it may represent danger in Western contexts. Always consider your target audience when selecting colors for international applications.
Flat Colors for Mobile-First Design
Flat design colors are particularly well-suited for mobile interfaces due to their simplicity, clarity, and performance benefits. Mobile-first design requires careful color selection to ensure usability across various screen sizes and lighting conditions.
Mobile Color Considerations
Touch Target Visibility
Use high-contrast colors for buttons and interactive elements to ensure they're easily tappable.
Outdoor Readability
Choose colors that remain legible in bright sunlight and various lighting conditions.
Battery Efficiency
Darker colors can help conserve battery life on OLED screens, making dark themes increasingly popular.
Recommended Mobile Color Combinations
Accessibility and Flat Colors
Creating accessible designs with flat colors requires careful attention to contrast ratios, color blindness considerations, and alternative visual cues. Accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about creating inclusive experiences for all users.
WCAG Compliance Guidelines
AA Level (Minimum)
4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text, 3:1 for large text
AAA Level (Enhanced)
7:1 contrast ratio for normal text, 4.5:1 for large text
Color Blindness Considerations
Red-Green Color Blindness (8% of men): Avoid relying solely on red and green to convey information.
Blue-Yellow Color Blindness (Rare): Ensure blue and yellow elements have sufficient contrast.
Total Color Blindness (Very rare): Always provide alternative visual cues like icons or patterns.
Pro Tip: Testing Your Colors
Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker or browser extensions like Stark to test your color combinations. Many design tools like Figma also include built-in accessibility checkers to help you create more inclusive designs.
Related Color Tools
Color Picker
Pick colors in HEX, RGB, and HSL formats with an intuitive interface.
Palette Generator
Generate harmonious color palettes using color theory principles.
Contrast Checker
Verify your color combinations meet WCAG accessibility standards.
Color Blindness Simulator
Test how your designs appear to users with color vision deficiencies.
Material Design Colors
Explore Google's Material Design color system and guidelines.
Dark Mode Builder
Create beautiful dark mode color schemes for modern applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a color "flat" in design?
Flat colors are solid, saturated colors without gradients, shadows, or three-dimensional effects. They appear completely flat on the screen, hence the name. These colors are typically bright, bold, and have high saturation levels that make interfaces feel modern and clean.
How do I choose the right flat colors for my brand?
Start by considering your brand personality and target audience. Tech companies often use blues for trust and reliability, while creative brands might choose purples or oranges. Test your colors across different devices and lighting conditions, and always ensure they meet accessibility standards for contrast and color blindness.
Can I use flat colors with other design styles?
Absolutely! Flat colors work well in semi-flat (flat 2.0) designs that include subtle shadows and depth. They're also popular in minimalist designs, material design, and even some skeuomorphic elements. The key is maintaining consistency in your color choices throughout the design.
How many flat colors should I use in one design?
Follow the 60-30-10 rule: 60% dominant color (usually neutral), 30% secondary color (brand color), and 10% accent color (for highlights and calls-to-action). This creates visual hierarchy while maintaining the clean aesthetic that flat design is known for.
Are there any downsides to using flat colors?
The main challenge with flat design is ensuring sufficient visual hierarchy and usability. Without shadows or gradients, it can be harder to distinguish interactive elements. Always test your designs with real users and consider adding subtle visual cues like hover states or borders to improve usability.
How do flat colors perform on different devices?
Flat colors generally perform well across devices due to their simplicity. However, color reproduction can vary between screens. Always test your colors on multiple devices, including phones, tablets, and different monitor types. Consider how colors appear in both light and dark environments where your users might be viewing your interface.