HCL Color

About this plugin

The HCL color space equalizes the apparent lightness of hues and allows for better control over contrast. 

This helps to convey meaning with color, for things like data visualization, where using regular HSV/L may lead to seeing patterns that aren't there because hues have different lightness, and our brains give lightness priority over hue. It also helps eliminate unwanted surprises should your work be viewed in B/W (printed etc.)

C is colorfulness. Its numeric value is somewhat arbitrary, so I normalize it to 100% at the edge.

The underlying color space is okLab (default), Lab or Luv. The contrast ratio is calculated according to WCAG 3 (default) or WCAG 2.

Clicking a swatch copies its hex value to the clipboard. Shift locks dragging to one axis. The arrow keys move the selected handle in small increments (hold Shift to move both handles). Alt R / ⌥ R resets the plugin to the default state.

Color blindness can be simulated with the three rings in the top right corner. Each ring will cycle through Normal->Weak->Blind (the center dot includes blue-mono and mono). Holding Shift will toggle Normal<->Weak, holding Ctrl / ⌘ will toggle Normal<->Blind.