iWantHue

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What iWantHue is

iWantHue generates and refines color palettes for data scientists working with data visualization. Users can constrain colors by hue, chroma, and lightness, then sort results by color difference, hue, chroma, lightness, or at random. The generator calculates colors in CIE Lab and uses HCL for its controls, with k-means clustering or force-vector repulsion to distribute palette colors. A colorblind-improvement option is available. The web interface exports HEX, RGB, HCL, and LAB JSON, CSS color lists, or JavaScript settings. Developers can install the JavaScript package with npm for Node.js or browser use, generate palettes in code, and provide a seed to reproduce a palette. The npm module includes precomputed palettes from 2 to 15 colors, including colorblind alternatives. Very large palettes may include similar colors when the chosen color space is constrained, though the first colors are arranged for the greatest possible distinction. The Fancy preset is limited to generic palettes of up to 10 colors because its chroma and lightness ranges are narrow. iWantHue is free.

Who it suits

It suits data scientists creating palettes for data visualization, and developers who want palette generation in Node.js or browser projects. Its options include colorblind improvements and multiple export formats.

What it does well

Constrains palettes by hue, chroma, and lightness.
Offers two methods for distributing colors.
Includes a colorblind-improvement option.
Exports HEX, RGB, HCL, LAB JSON, CSS, and JavaScript.
Free to use.

What to know first

Large palettes may contain similar colors.
The Fancy preset is limited to 10 colors.
No security or compliance claims are stated.

Limits

Large palettes may contain similar colors when the requested number exceeds what the selected color space can distinguish. The Fancy preset is limited to generic palettes of up to 10 colors.

Getting started

Open the iWantHue website to generate or refine a palette.
Set hue, chroma, or lightness constraints as needed.
Choose a palette distribution method and sort the colors.
Export in a supported format, or install the JavaScript package with npm for Node.js or browser use.
Use a seed in JavaScript when you need to reproduce a generated palette.

Verdict

iWantHue gives palette creators control over color constraints, distribution, sorting, and exports, with a JavaScript package for developers. Its free availability comes with potential similarity in large palettes and a 10-color limit for the Fancy preset.

Questions

Is iWantHue free?

Yes. iWantHue is free, and Sciences Po médialab describes its digital tools as free.

What platforms are listed?

The listed platforms are Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

What export formats are available?

The web interface provides HEX, RGB, HCL, and LAB JSON, CSS color lists, and JavaScript settings.

Can developers use iWantHue in code?

Yes. The JavaScript package can be installed with npm for Node.js and browser use.

Can it make colorblind-aware palettes?

The interface includes an option to improve palettes for colorblind users, and the npm module includes colorblind alternatives among its precomputed palettes.

Where can users ask for help?

The site directs users to GitHub Issues for help, bug reports, or contact.

Facts from iWantHue's own pages

Accessibility: The interface includes an option to improve palettes for colorblind users. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Audience: The project describes itself as a tool for data scientists and explains its palette use in data visualization. · medialab.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Availability: Sciences Po médialab describes its digital tools as free, and lists I Want Hue as a web interface for generating and refining color palettes. · medialab.sciencespo.fr, 9 Oct 2026
Color algorithms: Palette generation uses k-means or force-vector repulsion algorithms to distribute colors. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Color blindness: The generator includes a colorblind improvement option, and its JavaScript settings list colorblind distance functions. · medialab.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Color computation: The generator computes colors in CIE Lab and uses HCL to set color constraints. · medialab.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Color controls: Users can constrain palettes by hue, chroma, and lightness. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Developer use: The project can be installed for Node.js and browser use with npm install iwanthue. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Exports: The interface provides palette output as HEX, RGB, HCL, and LAB JSON, CSS color lists, and JavaScript settings. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Generation methods: It offers k-means clustering and force-vector repulsion algorithms to distribute colors. · medialab.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Integrations: The repository documents use in JavaScript projects through Node.js and browser npm packages. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
JavaScript use: The project says it can be installed with npm for Node.js and the browser, and documents palette generation in JavaScript. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Large palettes: When the requested palette is too large for the selected color space, some colors may be similar, though the first colors are sorted to be the most distinct possible. · medialab.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Notable limit: The Fancy preset produces generic palettes up to 10 colors, and the page says its narrow chroma and lightness ranges limit palette size. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Palette controls: Users can constrain palettes by hue, chroma, and lightness. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Palette refinement: The interface offers options to sort colors by difference, hue, chroma, lightness, or randomly. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Perceptual model: The project uses CIE Lab for computation and HCL to set color constraints. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Precomputed palettes: The npm module includes precomputed palettes from 2 to 15 colors, including colorblind alternatives. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Purpose: iWantHue generates and refines palettes of optimally distinct colors for data scientists. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Reproducibility: The JavaScript generator accepts a seed to produce the same palette each time from a data attribute. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Security: The pages reviewed provide no security or compliance claims. · medialab.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Security and compliance: The maker's product and repository pages opened here do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users to GitHub Issues for help, bug reports, and requests. · medialab.github.io, 10 Oct 2026

Where iWantHue stands on Freedom251

Color Palette Generators#16 of 34