How does the color extraction algorithm work?

The tool draws your image onto an offscreen HTML5 canvas, samples pixel color data across the entire canvas, and applies a median-cut color quantization algorithm. This clusters visually similar pixels together and calculates the dominant color centroid for each cluster.

Are my photos uploaded to any server?

No. All image processing and pixel quantization is performed 100% locally on your device inside your web browser. Your images never leave your computer.

Can I export the extracted palette directly as CSS variables?

Yes. Click 'Copy CSS Variables' and the tool will place a ready-to-paste :root block with variables (--color-1, --color-2, etc.) directly into your clipboard.

Color Palette Extractor from Image

Extract dominant color schemes from any photograph or design mockup. Uses in-browser HTML5 canvas pixel quantization to generate harmonious palettes with instant one-click HEX, RGB, HSL, and CSS custom property copying — 100% client-side with zero data uploads.

By Elena Rostova, Senior UI/UX Designer • Last Updated: September 20, 2026

Palette Extraction Workbench

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Drag & Drop a Photo Here

or click to browse — supports PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, and GIF

Number of Colors: 6

Filter pure black & white extremes

How to Extract Colors from an Image

Upload Your Image: Drag and drop any photo, screenshot, or illustration into the drop zone, or click to select from your device.
Adjust Number of Colors: Use the slider to choose between 3 and 16 dominant palette tones.
Filter Extremes: Keep "Filter pure black & white extremes" checked to avoid muddy grays and pure blown-out whites.
Click "Extract Palette": The canvas reads pixel color channels and runs median-cut clustering.
Copy Values: Click any individual HEX, RGB, or HSL swatch value to copy it, or click "Copy CSS Variables" to export a clean :root stylesheet block.

The Science of Color Quantization and Palette Extraction

Digital photographs contain millions of unique pixels, each defined by 8-bit Red, Green, and Blue light values (over 16.7 million possible color combinations). Color quantization is an image processing algorithm that reduces this enormous color spectrum down to a representative subset while preserving the overall perceptual mood and identity of the image.

How Median-Cut Quantization Works:

Color Cube Bounding: The algorithm envelopes all pixel RGB values in an imaginary 3D Cartesian color space.
Axis Splitting: It identifies the color channel (Red, Green, or Blue) exhibiting the greatest variance and splits the data box along the median of that axis.
Recursive Division: This division repeats until the desired number of color boxes (clusters) is achieved.
Centroid Averaging: The mean RGB values of all pixels inside each box become the palette colors.

Key Features

Client-Side Canvas Processing: Zero image uploads — all pixel parsing occurs in your browser.
Dynamic Cluster Sizing: Customize palette density from 3 to 16 dominant hues.
Multi-Format Color Codes: Instant copy buttons for HEX, RGB, and HSL formats.
CSS Variable Generator: Export directly to web stylesheets with production-ready --color-n naming.
Luminance Sorting: Palettes are automatically sorted from brightest to darkest for optimal UI design balance.

Privacy & Data Security

Your photos never leave your device. The HTML5 Canvas API extracts pixel data directly in memory, ensuring that confidential brand photography, unreleased graphic designs, and personal photos remain completely private.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the color extraction algorithm work?: The tool draws your image onto an offscreen HTML5 canvas, samples pixel color data across the entire canvas, and applies a median-cut color quantization algorithm. This clusters visually similar pixels together and calculates the dominant color centroid for each cluster.
Are my photos uploaded to any server?: No. All image processing and pixel quantization is performed 100% locally on your device inside your web browser. Your images never leave your computer.
Can I export the extracted palette directly as CSS variables?: Yes. Click 'Copy CSS Variables' and the tool will place a ready-to-paste :root block with variables (--color-1, --color-2, etc.) directly into your clipboard.