Best Free Color Picker

 
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Introduction

A color picker allows you to identify the color codes of any color present on your screen. This information can be helpful when editing an image, programming, writing HTML language or setting up a web page, etc. 

There are many free color pickers to choose from. This review picks out a select few, based on the following features:

  • Color code support:
    - RGB (Red, Green and Blue)
    - Hex (hexadecimal in HTML mode, etc)
    - HSL, HSV, HSI or HSB (Hue, Saturation, Lightness/Value/Intensity/Brightness)
    - CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)
     
  • Takes up little screen space  (in its "on-top" setting)
     
  • Provides useful features including a grabber (or eyedropper) to easily pick and copy a color, a magnifier to see precisely which color you want to pick, a color mixer to adjust colors, and a color palette to re-use picked colors.
Discussion
Color CopColor Cop impressed me with its combination of simplicity and effectiveness. It comes with a compact and powerful user interface which takes up very little screen space. A color grabber is provided to drag and drop at any pixel of the screen, and RGB and Hex codes are presented instantly.
 
The front interface provides a built-in magnifier and an active color palette. If you want to adjust a picked color, you can click the ‘custom’ button and call up Windows’ default color mixer. When you right click on the interface a menu pops up with extra features. In this way, the interface is cleverly made small but powerful.
 
The extra features include web-safe color, display color reverses, random colors, conversion to gray-scale, additional hex codes, application options and settings, etc. The only drawback is that CMYK color space has yet to be incorporated.
 
 
Color ArchiverColor Archiver is another good choice but it has a slightly bigger interface than that of Color Cop. It provides RGB, CMY, CMYK, HSL and HSV color spaces. A color grabber, active color palette and RGB sliders are included.
 
You can name the color you pick and save it in a collapsible color table alongside a default web color table.
 
Similar to Color Cop, Color Archiver supports a Windows' default color mixer and a magnifier (up to 16 times).
 
 
CPickCPick has a collapsible user interface and comes with a color grabber by Click and Drag. It allows you to pick a screen color behind a magnifier zooming from 10 to 100.
 
You can copy a color to the clipboard as Hex, Decimal, RGB or HSV value and modify the color with the RGB or HSV slide bars.
 
The program provides standard and websafe color lists. It also allows you to create your own color lists for your projects. In addition, it features saving the image captured by the magnifier as an icon or bitmap file.
 
 
Just Color PickerJust Color Picker also features a small interface. It supports RGB, HTML Hex and HSB/HSV/HSL color codes. The 3x/9x/15x zoom helps you pinpoint a color specifically.
 
RGB and HSV sliders are included in a collapsible lower section. Picked colors are presented in a color palette with codes indicated, and can be saved in a normal text file. However, Just Color Picker uses a hot key to pick a color, rather than a grabber which is more handy.
 
Just Color Picker is a portable application and can be run directly from a USB stick. No installation required.
 
 
ColorManiaSimilar to Color Archiver, ColorMania also supports CMYK in addition to RGB and Hex codes in various modes. 
 
ColorMania has a color grabber, magnifier, mixer and sliders for RGB and HSV. It provides a color palette for picked colors and allows saving. Predefined HTML colors are ready for use.
 
Compared with other programs, it takes up slightly more screen space as none of its modules are collapsible.
 
 
PixeurAlternatively Pixeur can be used to support CMYK color space, in addition to RGB, HSB and Hex color values. This program is automatically set on top of other windows. It has a color grabber, magnifier, color mixer, color scheme and a slider.
 
Pixeur keeps a history of all the colors you have selected, and allows saving for future reference.
 
With a collapsible section for color scheme, it takes up about the same screen space as ColorMania.
Other Color Pickers
These are a number of other free color pickers which were brought up in comments here or noted from other sources. As they are not rated in this review, I am listing them here with brief descriptions and links to their sites for ease of reference.
 
  • Visual Color Picker supports RGB, HSL and CMYK color codes with complete sliders and 2D color mixers. Features include grabber, zoom and color preview with codes. It takes up a relatively large desktop area.
  •  
  • ColorPic supports RGB, HSV and CMYK codes with features including sliders, palettes and advanced mixers. It takes up a relatively large desktop area and uses hot keys to pick colors.
  •  
  • ColorPix supports RGB, HEX, HSB and CMYK codes and has a very small user interface, but it lacks quite a lot of features such as a color grabber, color mixer, slider, color palette, etc.
  •  
  • Pixie is a small and simple program. A portable version weighs in at only 11KB. Pixie shows you Hex, RGB, HTML, CMYK and HSV color values when you point to a pixel on the screen. It allows you to use hotkeys to copy HTML codes, call up Windows' default color mixer and show a floating magnifier. If you don't remember the hotkeys, the program will show them up when you move the mouse cursor over the interface.
  •  
  • ColSel (homepage not in English) supports HEX and RGB color values, but CMYK and HSV values are not supported. The program features color mixers, websafe color, etc., but its color grabber together with a magnifier is located at the secondary user interface and requires more steps to just pick a color from the screen.
  •  
  • Color Puller is portable freeware, completes with various useful features such as a grabber, a color palette, and a magnifier up to 50 times. The program supports RGB, CMY, CMYK, HSV, HSL, HSI and Hex values. Its user interface is relatively larger but can be minimized when you choose a color code to display with the On-top option.
Have Your Say
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Quick Selection Guide

Color Cop    Rating 9 of 10  Gizmo's Top Pick

Pros   Compact and powerful user interface, taking up a small space of desktop area. Features include grabber, magnifier, color palette and mixer, etc.
Cons   CMYK color space yet to be developed.
Developer Home Page   http://www.colorcop.net/
Download link   http://color-cop.en.softonic.com/
File Size   373 KB   Version 5.4.3   License Type Unrestricted freeware   Installation Requirements Win 98-Vista   Portable version available. Portable version available

Color Archiver    Rating 8 of 10

Pros   Support RGB, CMY, CMYK, HSL and HSV color spaces. Features include grabber, magnifier, color palette and mixer, color names, etc.
Cons   Slightly bigger interface.
Developer Home Page   http://www.geocities.com/ranjandd2002/
Download link   Download Link 1  Link 2
File Size   140 KB   Version 2.1   License Type Unrestricted freeware   Installation Requirements Win 98-XP

CPick    Rating 7 of 10

Pros   Support Hex, Decimal, RGB or HSV value, adjust color with slide bars, click and drag, magnifier, color lists, save image as icon or Bitmap.
Cons   CMYK color space not supported, slightly larger interface but collapsible.
Developer Home Page   http://home.hccnet.nl/s.j.francke/software/software.htm
Download link   http://home.hccnet.nl/s.j.francke/software/software.htm
File Size   274 KB   Version 2.6   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows

Just Color Picker    Rating 6 of 10

Pros   Supports RGB, HTML Hex and HSB/HSV/HSL color codes, save picked colors in text files.
Cons   Use hot keys to grab colors.
Developer Home Page   http://www.annystudio.com/software/colorpicker/
Download link   http://www.annystudio.com/software/colorpicker/
File Size   286 KB   Version 2.1   License Type Unrestricted freeware   Installation Requirements Win 98-Vista (32 & 64 bits)   Portable Portable

ColorMania    Rating 6 of 10

Pros   Supports CMYK in addition to RGB and Hex codes in various modes. Features include color grabber, magnifier, mixer and sliders, color palette, predefined HTML colors.
Cons   Take up slightly larger desktop area, no modules are collapsible.
Developer Home Page   http://www.blacksunsoftware.com/colormania.html
Download link   http://www.blacksunsoftware.com/colormania.html
File Size   670 KB   Version 2.7   License Type Unrestricted freeware   Installation Requirements Win 2000-Vista

Pixeur    Rating 5 of 10

Pros   Support CMYK, RGB, HSB and Hex color values. Features include color grabber, magnifier, color mixer, color scheme, slider, etc.
Cons   Take up relatively larger desktop area.
Developer Home Page   http://www.veign.com/application.php?appid=107
Download link   http://www.veign.com/application.php?appid=107
File Size   1.4 MB   Version 3.1.0.3   License Type Unrestricted freeware   Installation Requirements Win 98-Vista
Editor

This article is maintained by volunteer editor Jojoyee. Registered site users are allowed to edit and improve this article wiki-style.

Tags

color picker, screen color picker, onscreen color picker, color pick, color cop, color archiver, color puller, freeware, free color picker, colour picker, colour selector, colour grabber

5
Average: 5 (7 votes)
Your rating: None

Well guys...I really don't use this one but it's quite powerfull:
http://picpick.wiziple.net/
It at least should be mentioned in this section...

thanks for the advice about just color picker. it's a real gem! so is its author anny who responded promptly to my questions
btw there is a new version available here http://www.annystudio.com/software/colorpicker/

I agree. Just colorpicker is my favorite picker too. I actually like that it uses hotkeys insted of mouse cursor to grab a color, cos I don't need to worry about grabbing extra colors when I need to move a window, press a button or so

I have chosen Just Color Picker. It is a little program, but it has so many very useful features. For example, it lets you to change and adjust colors, not just pick them. It is extremely handy thing. Imagine: you like a color, pick it, but you need it a bit more red or a bit darker. Just Color Picker allows you to adjust the color and pick the result. I don't know how many people need such functionality, but for me it is very important and helpful.
Then, what is called 'cons' here (hot keys to grab colors) is actually 'pros' for me. I got sick f having unneeded colors in the picked set from accidental click. I like to be able to make clicks and having the Color Picker run while doing something else without picking colors. Moreover, Just Color Picker lets me to choose any hot key combination that I want and will remember easily. In addition, for those with bad memory, the hot keys are shown every time you run the program :)
Many thanks for the article! It helped me with my choice months ago.
I also noticed that there are a few clones of Just Color Picker in the Internet and that many other color picker developers copied some of Just Color Picker's functions and features.

Thanks a lot, Just Color Picker turned out to be exactly what I need

There is also the 'Faststone Capture' utility....it is an excellent screen capture utility, color picker, and screen magnifier...all in one!

Thanks so much for the info. That's my favorite program for its screen capture features. Occasionally I'm still using it even though only the older version is free. Having said that, I feel that its color picker is rather basic as compared to other programs.

Did you try this one Jojo?

My favourite - very small, very fast, has everything I need except hex input to get a colour.

ColSel
http[COLON]//colsel.prv.pl

[ps added a couple of tags with International EN spelling, hope that's OK]

chris.p

Thanks Chris, that's a good idea to have color and colour. Looks like they're not the same "color" to SEO :>)

Will look into ColSel.

btw, Color Puller's "rather larger interface" can be shrunk - the contextual menu allows you to show/hide most of the color displays. Or try the On Top setting - that is impressively tiny but still powerful... ;)

Thanks! :)

computerfreaker

Many thanks for the feedback. The On-top setting feature is added to the paragraph in today's update.

What about Color Puller? (http://frozenprogramming.com/colorpuller/)
As the developer of Color Puller, I can testify (but then again, I'm biased... lol) that it outdoes every color picker listed here... and it's multi-platform besides. You really ought to try it... ;) :D

computerfreaker

Download link is not working.

Any error messages or anything like that?
Also, what browser & OS are you using?
This is a little strange because I tested the links this morning and they all worked... :S

computerfreaker

At a wild guess, users don't understand they have to click again on Windows Mac Linux.
We don't want direct download links, but linking to the download page (as you do) is fine.

Thanks! Never guessed that... I will change the web page as quickly as possible so users will know what to do. :)

computerfreaker

It is a GUESS.
plz register.

Even as a guess, I have a hunch it's right...
I will register in a few minutes. :D

computerfreaker

I am now registered... :D

Anybody who has questions about Color Puller, problems downloading, wants to give feedback or anything else can reach me at this link:

http://frozenprogramming.com/contactform.php

Select "computerfreaker" from the dropdown list in the Send To field - I will reply as soon as possible.

Thanks! :)

Thanx for dropping by. We love to see developer input.

Happy to stop by! :D
If you have any questions about Color Puller, you can reach me at this link: http://frozenprogramming.com/contactform.php
Just select "computerfreaker" from the dropdown list in the Send To section... :)
Can't wait to see your review! I am very responsive to comments and will change anything that needs changing... :)

computerfreaker

Just to be clear. The decision to review or not, is completely up to the Editor of this category.

Thanks for the info - hopefully Color Puller will get reviewed & get a good review. :D

computerfreaker

Thank you for the review!
We have tried almost every color picker mentioned here. The Just Color Picker won, it became a new love of the whole our web design company :)

Just went to pick up Color Archiver - the first download link is dead... the second one is OK though.

Thanks for the feedback. The original link has been moved. I've updated the first download link which should work now.

Thanks for the info. Updated in the reviewed.

"Pixie...it does not equip with a grabber, magnifier, color mixer and color pallete."

This is a FALSE statement! Pixie is one of the best pickers ever, it much better than most of the above ones at least.

Pixie has all the features. Actually it was the one who introduced these features as must-have for pickers many years ago.

You can start right from http://www.nattyware.com/help/pixie.php

The Pixie section is now updated with more accurate available features. Many thanks for highlighting the mistake.

When it comes to utility, I personally will prefer GUI than hotkeys given a choice. One of the drawbacks about hotkeys is that we need to remember the hotkeys, whereas for GUI, it's a direct click, or drag-and-drop, nothing needs to memorize.

Whether Pixie is one of the best color pickers and much better than most of the rest, I will need to hear more from others.

Depending on development of the TSA new forum, a poll may be useful for this article to gather more feedback from visitors on their preferred color pickers :>)

Polls are good.

ZxColorSpy

Please note we do not permit direct download links.

All are fine, but just to add to the selection ... Pixie (www.Nattyware.com) is another good color picker that does *just* that and nothing else. The installed .exe (the only file necessary to run the app) is just 8k. Indicates both RGB and CMYK colors as needed.

Jerry Guinn, Alcoa TN

Yes, I did try this software before. It is a very small program, perhaps the smallest among all. I have now grouped it under Other Color Pickers for reference. Thanks for bringing this up.

I found new version 2.1.0 of Color Archiver at http://am-messenger.zendfree.com/site/download.php. This new version supports all color mode RGB, HSL, HSV, CMY and CMYK. It also supports smooth screen capture and Zoom 1x - 16x.

Many thanks for the info. Updated in the review.

Check this one, it's a good one too :
ColorPix at http://www.colorschemer.com/colorpix_info.php

ColorPix has a small user interface but it lacks quite a lot of features such as a color grabber, color mixer, slider, color palette, etc., as compared to those short listed.

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