- Rachel Bistricer
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Infographics are everywhere and they serve a vital purpose—they break down complex ideas into visually compelling, easy-to-digest formats. But behind every shareable, eye-catching infographic lies an important question. How do you pick the right colors that both communicate your message and captivate your audience?
This article will explore the basics of color theory, how colors impact your infographic, tips for selecting the perfect palette, and examples of inspiring color combinations you can use in graphic design.
9 infographic color palettes
When it comes to infographics, striking the right balance between creativity and clarity is crucial. Below are nine inspiring color palettes, each tailored for different themes or moods.
01. Autumn warmth
Burnt orange: HEX # CC5500, RGB (204, 85, 0)
Amber: HEX # FFBF00, RGB (255, 191, 0)
Maroon: HEX # 800000, RGB (128, 0, 0)
Rose gold: HEX # B76E79, RGB (183, 110, 121)
02. Bold and modern
Navy blue: HEX # 000080, RGB (0, 0, 128)
Bright yellow: HEX # FFFF00, RGB (255, 255, 0)
Teal: HEX # 008080, RGB (0, 128, 128)
Charcoal: HEX # 36454F, RGB (54, 69, 79)
03. Coastal calm
Seafoam green: HEX # 93E9BE, RGB (147, 233, 190)
Light blue: HEX # ADD8E6, RGB (173, 216, 230)
Aqua: HEX # 00FFFF, RGB (0, 255, 255)
Sand dollar: HEX # D8C9A3, RGB (216, 201, 163)
04. Forest retreat
Forest green: HEX # 228B22, RGB (34, 139, 34)
Sage green: HEX # 9C9F84, RGB (156, 159, 132)
Olive green: HEX # 808000, RGB (128, 128, 0)
Chocolate: HEX # D2691E, RGB (210, 105, 30)
05. Minimal contrast
Grey: HEX # 808080, RGB (128, 128, 128)
Jet black: HEX # 343434, RGB (52, 52, 52)
Off white: HEX # FAF9F6, RGB (250, 249, 246)
Silver: # C0C0C0, RGB (192, 192, 192)
06. Playful pop
Hot pink: HEX # FF69B4, RGB (255, 105, 180)
Electric blue: HEX # 7DF9FF, RGB (125, 249, 255)
Bright yellow: HEX # FFFF00, RGB (255, 255, 0)
Magenta: HEX # FF00FF, RGB (255, 0, 255)
07. Royal elegance
Royal blue: HEX # 4169E1, RGB (65, 105, 225)
Gold: HEX # FFD700, RGB (255, 215, 0)
Burgundy: HEX # 800020, RGB (128, 0, 32)
Ivory: HEX # FFFFF0, RGB (255, 255, 240)
08. Soft pastels
Pastel green: HEX # 77DD77, RGB (119, 221, 119)
Periwinkle: HEX # CCCCFF, RGB (204, 204, 255)
Lavender: HEX # E6E6FA, RGB (230, 230, 250)
Peach: HEX # FFE5B4, RGB (255, 229, 180)
09. Sunset glow
Bright orange: HEX # FF6700, RGB (255, 103, 0)
Coral: HEX # FF7F50, RGB (255, 127, 80)
Gold: HEX # FFD700, RGB (255, 215, 0)
Cream: HEX # FFFDD0, RGB (255, 253, 208)
Understanding color theory in infographic design
Color theory goes beyond knowing that “red means stop” or “green means go.” It’s the foundation for understanding why certain colors work well together and how they make viewers feel.
Color theory is built on three primary colors—red, yellow and blue. From these, we get secondary colors like orange, purple and green, along with countless shades, tints and tones. Add to this the principles of the color wheel and you have endless possibilities for creating stunning visuals.
The relationships between colors on the color wheel can guide your choices. When applying these principles to infographics, understanding how colors interact keeps your digital design cohesive and intentional.
A few key relationships include:
Complementary colors: Colors opposite each other on the wheel (e.g., blue and orange) create bold, high-contrast effects.
Analogous colors: Colors that sit next to each other on the wheel (e.g., green, blue-green and blue) feel harmonious and calming.
Triadic colors: Three colors evenly spaced around the wheel (e.g., red, yellow and blue) provide a vibrant, balanced look.
How color impacts your infographic
The colors you choose aren’t just aesthetic—they’re communicative. Through color psychology, colors can influence how viewers interpret your infographic and affect its clarity, flow, and emotional tone.
Guiding the viewer’s eye
Colors can steer attention to the most crucial parts of your design. For example, a bright red accent on an otherwise neutral graphic immediately draws focus. Use a pop of color sparingly to highlight key figures, titles or callouts.
Evoking emotion
Each color carries its own set of associations and emotions. For example, warm colors like red and orange are often linked to passion or urgency, while cool colors like blue and green can convey a sense of calm or trustworthiness. Consider the emotional tone you want to evoke in your viewers and choose colors accordingly.
Accessibility
Ensuring your infographic colors are accessible is key. Contrast is essential for readability—particularly for text on backgrounds. Use tools that measure color contrast to ensure your design is clear for all viewers, including those with color blindness.
How to choose an infographic color scheme
Finding the right color scheme requires more than picking the colors you like—it’s about matching the colors to your infographic’s intent, audience and message.
Consider your audience
Is your infographic targeting industry professionals? Opt for sleek, muted tones like grays and blues to project professionalism. If you’re speaking to a younger audience, bold and playful colors may work better. Tailoring the color scheme to your audience ensures the tone resonates with them.
Start with the message
What’s your infographic trying to convey? A financial topic may lean toward cooler, stable colors like blue, while a festive event could make use of vibrant yellows and pinks. Align the palette with the story you want to tell.
Think about functionality
Always keep readability and flow in mind. Use a limited palette—three to five colors is often enough—to avoid overwhelming viewers. Use one or two primary colors throughout and reserve accent colors for emphasis.
Use on-brand colors
If you’re creating an infographic for a business or organization, consider using their brand colors to maintain consistency and reinforce brand recognition. Just be sure the colors are still appropriate for your message and audience.
Tips for creating infographic color palettes
Once you understand the basics, these tips will help you create effective and visually appealing color palettes.
Use the 60-30-10 rule
This rule divides the colors in your infographic into three proportions: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color and 10% accent color. This balance ensures that no one color overwhelms the design and allows for a cohesive look.
Leave empty space
Blank space can be just as important as color. Give your design breathing room by leaving some areas free of color. This adds balance and prevents the infographic from feeling cluttered or overwhelming.
Use neutral colors as a foundation
Neutral colors like white, gray and black create a clean canvas for your design. Use them as a backdrop or to separate sections of the infographic. They also allow brighter colors to pop and draw attention.
Add color for emphasis
Use bold colors sparingly to highlight key information or draw the viewer’s eye. This creates visual hierarchy and makes the design easier to navigate.
Create a visual hierarchy with color
You can also use color to create a hierarchy of information, with the most important or attention-grabbing elements in one color and secondary details in another. This helps guide viewers through your infographic and ensures they don’t miss crucial information.
Use a balanced color scheme
Whether you’re working with a monochromatic palette or a complementary pair, limiting your palette to 3–5 colors ensures your infographic doesn’t feel chaotic. Start with one dominant color, one accent color and perhaps a neutral for balance.
Prioritize contrast for readability
Texts and visuals need sufficient contrast to remain legible. Light text on a dark background—and vice versa—often works best. Tools like contrast checkers can help you find accessible color pairs that enhance information delivery.
Ensure consistency
Apply colors consistently throughout the infographic. For example, if your bar chart uses blue to represent "growth," make sure blue isn't repurposed to mean "decline" elsewhere. Consistency helps your audience follow your visuals with ease.
Use tools to simplify the process
Color palette generators are invaluable for inspiration. Many of these tools allow you to upload an image or choose a starting color, then build a cohesive scheme around it. Even if you adjust the palette for your unique design, they’re great for sparking ideas.
Looking for color inspiration for your next project? Check out these Wixel guides:
Infographic colors FAQ
How many colors should I use in an infographic?
It’s best to stick with three to five colors. Too many can overwhelm your audience and make your design feel cluttered.