qualpal

About

qualpal is ranked #18 of 34 in color palette generators on Inferse. It runs on Linux, macOS, Web, Windows.

Compared on color palette generators

Free plan

Yesjolars.github.io

Palette methods

generatejolars.github.io

Facts

Purpose

Qualpal is a C++ library for generating qualitative color palettes with maximum perceptual distinctiveness, especially for data visualization.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Palette inputs

It accepts RGB colors, HSL or LCHab color spaces, and predefined palettes as inputs.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Color accessibility

It simulates color vision deficiencies using the Machado et al. model and supports deuteranomaly, protanomaly, and tritanomaly.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Background color

You can specify a background color so generated colors are selected to remain distinct from it.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Palette extension

The library can extend an existing palette while keeping specified colors fixed.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

CLI

Qualpal includes a command-line interface for generating and analyzing palettes.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Web app

A browser-based web app generates palettes but has slightly limited functionality compared with the library and R package.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

R integration

The project provides an R package called qualpalr for generating palettes in R workflows.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Python integration

The project README lists a Python package called qualpal.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Platforms

Prebuilt binaries are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Requirements

Building from source requires CMake 3.15 or later and a C++17-compatible compiler; OpenMP is optional for parallelization.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Algorithm

The algorithm uses a heuristic based on farthest-point sampling and describes its selected colors as approximately maximally distinct.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Limit

Qualpal does not consider aesthetic factors such as color harmony or complementary colors when choosing colors.jolars.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

License

The source repository states that Qualpal is available under the MIT License.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Inferse

• Best Color Palette Generators in 2026#18 of 34

Sources

• jolars.github.io/qualpal/· checked 4 Oct 2026
• jolars.github.io/qualpal/getting-started.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
• github.com/jolars/qualpal· checked 4 Oct 2026
• jolars.github.io/qualpal/algorithm.html· checked 4 Oct 2026