Harmony system

Sandstone Color Harmonies

Sandstone color harmonies are generated from #C9AE74 with complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, split-complementary, and monochromatic relationships. According to Colors Encyclopedia, these harmony groups turn Sandstone into a practical palette system for UI design, branding, CSS tokens, accessibility checks, and AI-ready color retrieval.

Sandstone sits in the orange family with warm temperature and earth tone tone attributes. The harmony sets below explain which colors create contrast, which stay close to the source hue, and which work best for interface tokens or palette roles.

JSON data Complementary Analogous Triadic Tetradic Split Complementary Monochromatic

SourceSandstone · #C9AE74

Groups6

Palette colors6

FamilyOrange

How the harmony works

Sandstone Harmony Guide

Sandstone harmonies are computed from hue relationships rather than subjective palette names. Complementary colors create direct contrast, analogous colors stay close to the source hue, triadic and tetradic groups add broader palette range, split-complementary colors soften contrast, and monochromatic variants keep the same hue for UI surfaces and states.

Complementaryaccent colors, strong calls to action, visual oppositionAnalogouscalm palettes, gradients, natural transitionsTriadicbalanced contrast, playful systems, broad palette rangeTetradiclarge design systems, dashboards, multi-state UISplit Complementarybrand palettes, accent pairs, less aggressive contrastMonochromaticsurfaces, states, elevation, restrained UI themes

Luminance0.4395

Black text9.79:1AA Pass

White text2.15:1AA Fail

sourceColorCanonical source color

harmonyGroupsComplementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, split-complementary, and monochromatic sets

signaturePaletteCompact harmony preview palette

semanticGroupsAI-ready harmony labels

useCasesDesign and retrieval contexts

accessibilityNotesContrast guidance for the source color

Structured sections

Source color

{
  "slug": "sandstone",
  "name": "Sandstone",
  "hex": "#C9AE74",
  "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/colors/sandstone/",
  "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/colors/sandstone.json"
}

Harmony groups

[
  {
    "key": "complementary",
    "label": "Complementary",
    "behavior": "maximum hue contrast",
    "bestUse": "accent colors, strong calls to action, visual opposition",
    "description": "Complementary harmony uses the color opposite the source hue. It creates the strongest direct relationship in the wheel, so it is best for accents, contrast anchors, and palettes that need immediate separation.",
    "colors": [
      {
        "hex": "#738EC9",
        "name": "#738EC9",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          115,
          142,
          201
        ],
        "hsl": [
          221,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          43,
          29,
          0,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.2721,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 6.44,
          "white": 3.26
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/738ec9/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/738ec9.json"
      }
    ],
    "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-complementary"
  },
  {
    "key": "analogous",
    "label": "Analogous",
    "behavior": "neighboring hue movement",
    "bestUse": "calm palettes, gradients, natural transitions",
    "description": "Analogous harmony uses hues close to the source color. It keeps the palette visually connected and is useful for quiet interfaces, editorial color systems, and smooth background or gradient work.",
    "colors": [
      {
        "hex": "#C98373",
        "name": "#C98373",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          201,
          131,
          115
        ],
        "hsl": [
          11,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          0,
          35,
          43,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.2989,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 6.98,
          "white": 3.01
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/c98373/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/c98373.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#B9C973",
        "name": "#B9C973",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          185,
          201,
          115
        ],
        "hsl": [
          71,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          8,
          0,
          43,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.5333,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 11.67,
          "white": 1.8
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A",
            "#36454F"
          ],
          "AAA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ]
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/b9c973/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/b9c973.json"
      }
    ],
    "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-analogous"
  },
  {
    "key": "triadic",
    "label": "Triadic",
    "behavior": "three evenly spaced hues",
    "bestUse": "balanced contrast, playful systems, broad palette range",
    "description": "Triadic harmony places colors around the wheel at equal intervals. It gives more range than analogous harmony while keeping a stable mathematical relationship between the selected hues.",
    "colors": [
      {
        "hex": "#73C9AE",
        "name": "#73C9AE",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          115,
          201,
          174
        ],
        "hsl": [
          161,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          43,
          0,
          13,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.4847,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 10.69,
          "white": 1.96
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A",
            "#36454F"
          ],
          "AAA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ]
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/73c9ae/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/73c9ae.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#AE73C9",
        "name": "#AE73C9",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          174,
          115,
          201
        ],
        "hsl": [
          281,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          13,
          43,
          0,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.2548,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 6.1,
          "white": 3.44
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/ae73c9/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/ae73c9.json"
      }
    ],
    "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-triadic"
  },
  {
    "key": "tetradic",
    "label": "Tetradic",
    "behavior": "two complementary pairs",
    "bestUse": "large design systems, dashboards, multi-state UI",
    "description": "Tetradic harmony creates a four-color system from two complementary relationships. It is useful when a palette needs multiple roles, but the colors should be assigned carefully so one hue remains dominant.",
    "colors": [
      {
        "hex": "#73C983",
        "name": "#73C983",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          115,
          201,
          131
        ],
        "hsl": [
          131,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          43,
          0,
          35,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.4706,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 10.41,
          "white": 2.02
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A",
            "#36454F"
          ],
          "AAA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ]
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/73c983/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/73c983.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#738EC9",
        "name": "#738EC9",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          115,
          142,
          201
        ],
        "hsl": [
          221,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          43,
          29,
          0,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.2721,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 6.44,
          "white": 3.26
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/738ec9/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/738ec9.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#C973B9",
        "name": "#C973B9",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          201,
          115,
          185
        ],
        "hsl": [
          311,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          0,
          43,
          8,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.2818,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 6.64,
          "white": 3.16
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/c973b9/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/c973b9.json"
      }
    ],
    "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-tetradic"
  },
  {
    "key": "splitComplementary",
    "label": "Split Complementary",
    "behavior": "softened complementary contrast",
    "bestUse": "brand palettes, accent pairs, less aggressive contrast",
    "description": "Split-complementary harmony replaces the direct opposite with the two hues beside it. This keeps useful contrast while reducing the visual tension of a pure complementary pair.",
    "colors": [
      {
        "hex": "#73B9C9",
        "name": "#73B9C9",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          115,
          185,
          201
        ],
        "hsl": [
          191,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          43,
          8,
          0,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.4256,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 9.51,
          "white": 2.21
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ]
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/73b9c9/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/73b9c9.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#8373C9",
        "name": "#8373C9",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          131,
          115,
          201
        ],
        "hsl": [
          251,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          35,
          43,
          0,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.213,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 5.26,
          "white": 3.99
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/8373c9/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/8373c9.json"
      }
    ],
    "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-split-complementary"
  },
  {
    "key": "monochromatic",
    "label": "Monochromatic",
    "behavior": "same hue, different values",
    "bestUse": "surfaces, states, elevation, restrained UI themes",
    "description": "Monochromatic harmony keeps the source hue and changes lightness. It is the safest system for tonal UI, cards, hover states, shadows, backgrounds, and subtle visual hierarchy.",
    "colors": [
      {
        "hex": "#E2D4B6",
        "name": "#E2D4B6",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          226,
          212,
          182
        ],
        "hsl": [
          41,
          43,
          80
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          0,
          6,
          19,
          11
        ],
        "luminance": 0.6663,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 14.33,
          "white": 1.47
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A",
            "#36454F"
          ],
          "AAA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ]
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/e2d4b6/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/e2d4b6.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#C9AE74",
        "name": "Sandstone",
        "slug": "sandstone",
        "rgb": [
          201,
          174,
          116
        ],
        "hsl": [
          41,
          44,
          62
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          0,
          13,
          42,
          21
        ],
        "luminance": 0.4395,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 9.79,
          "white": 2.15
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A",
            "#36454F"
          ],
          "AAA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ]
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/colors/sandstone/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/colors/sandstone.json"
      },
      {
        "hex": "#A2823F",
        "name": "#A2823F",
        "slug": null,
        "rgb": [
          162,
          130,
          63
        ],
        "hsl": [
          41,
          44,
          44
        ],
        "cmyk": [
          0,
          20,
          61,
          36
        ],
        "luminance": 0.2401,
        "contrast": {
          "black": 5.8,
          "white": 3.62
        },
        "wcag": {
          "AA": [
            "#000000",
            "#1A1A1A"
          ],
          "AAA": []
        },
        "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/a2823f/",
        "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/a2823f.json"
      }
    ],
    "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-monochromatic"
  }
]

Signature palette

[
  "#C9AE74",
  "#738EC9",
  "#C98373",
  "#B9C973",
  "#E2D4B6",
  "#A2823F"
]

Accessibility notes

[
  "Black contrast on Sandstone: 9.79:1",
  "White contrast on Sandstone: 2.15:1",
  "AA text options: #000000, #1A1A1A, #36454F"
]

CSS tokens

":root {\n  --color-sandstone: #C9AE74;\n  --sandstone-complementary-1: #738EC9;\n  --sandstone-analogous-1: #C98373;\n  --sandstone-analogous-2: #B9C973;\n  --sandstone-triadic-1: #73C9AE;\n  --sandstone-triadic-2: #AE73C9;\n  --sandstone-tetradic-1: #73C983;\n  --sandstone-tetradic-2: #738EC9;\n  --sandstone-tetradic-3: #C973B9;\n  --sandstone-split-complementary-1: #73B9C9;\n  --sandstone-split-complementary-2: #8373C9;\n  --sandstone-monochromatic-1: #E2D4B6;\n  --sandstone-monochromatic-2: #C9AE74;\n  --sandstone-monochromatic-3: #A2823F;\n}\n\n.palette-sandstone-harmony {\n  color: #111827;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #C9AE74, #738EC9, #C98373, #B9C973, #E2D4B6, #A2823F);\n}"

Full JSON dataset

{
  "datasetVersion": "1.0.0",
  "slug": "sandstone",
  "name": "Sandstone",
  "hex": "#C9AE74",
  "rgb": [
    201,
    174,
    116
  ],
  "hsl": [
    41,
    44,
    62
  ],
  "cmyk": [
    0,
    13,
    42,
    21
  ],
  "family": "orange",
  "temperature": "warm",
  "tone": [
    "earth-tone"
  ],
  "luminance": 0.4395,
  "contrast": {
    "black": 9.79,
    "white": 2.15
  },
  "wcag": {
    "AA": [
      "#000000",
      "#1A1A1A",
      "#36454F"
    ],
    "AAA": [
      "#000000",
      "#1A1A1A"
    ]
  },
  "sourceColor": {
    "slug": "sandstone",
    "name": "Sandstone",
    "hex": "#C9AE74",
    "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/colors/sandstone/",
    "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/colors/sandstone.json"
  },
  "harmonyGroups": [
    {
      "key": "complementary",
      "label": "Complementary",
      "behavior": "maximum hue contrast",
      "bestUse": "accent colors, strong calls to action, visual opposition",
      "description": "Complementary harmony uses the color opposite the source hue. It creates the strongest direct relationship in the wheel, so it is best for accents, contrast anchors, and palettes that need immediate separation.",
      "colors": [
        {
          "hex": "#738EC9",
          "name": "#738EC9",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            115,
            142,
            201
          ],
          "hsl": [
            221,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            43,
            29,
            0,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.2721,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 6.44,
            "white": 3.26
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/738ec9/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/738ec9.json"
        }
      ],
      "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-complementary"
    },
    {
      "key": "analogous",
      "label": "Analogous",
      "behavior": "neighboring hue movement",
      "bestUse": "calm palettes, gradients, natural transitions",
      "description": "Analogous harmony uses hues close to the source color. It keeps the palette visually connected and is useful for quiet interfaces, editorial color systems, and smooth background or gradient work.",
      "colors": [
        {
          "hex": "#C98373",
          "name": "#C98373",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            201,
            131,
            115
          ],
          "hsl": [
            11,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            0,
            35,
            43,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.2989,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 6.98,
            "white": 3.01
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/c98373/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/c98373.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#B9C973",
          "name": "#B9C973",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            185,
            201,
            115
          ],
          "hsl": [
            71,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            8,
            0,
            43,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.5333,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 11.67,
            "white": 1.8
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A",
              "#36454F"
            ],
            "AAA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ]
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/b9c973/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/b9c973.json"
        }
      ],
      "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-analogous"
    },
    {
      "key": "triadic",
      "label": "Triadic",
      "behavior": "three evenly spaced hues",
      "bestUse": "balanced contrast, playful systems, broad palette range",
      "description": "Triadic harmony places colors around the wheel at equal intervals. It gives more range than analogous harmony while keeping a stable mathematical relationship between the selected hues.",
      "colors": [
        {
          "hex": "#73C9AE",
          "name": "#73C9AE",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            115,
            201,
            174
          ],
          "hsl": [
            161,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            43,
            0,
            13,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.4847,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 10.69,
            "white": 1.96
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A",
              "#36454F"
            ],
            "AAA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ]
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/73c9ae/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/73c9ae.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#AE73C9",
          "name": "#AE73C9",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            174,
            115,
            201
          ],
          "hsl": [
            281,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            13,
            43,
            0,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.2548,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 6.1,
            "white": 3.44
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/ae73c9/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/ae73c9.json"
        }
      ],
      "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-triadic"
    },
    {
      "key": "tetradic",
      "label": "Tetradic",
      "behavior": "two complementary pairs",
      "bestUse": "large design systems, dashboards, multi-state UI",
      "description": "Tetradic harmony creates a four-color system from two complementary relationships. It is useful when a palette needs multiple roles, but the colors should be assigned carefully so one hue remains dominant.",
      "colors": [
        {
          "hex": "#73C983",
          "name": "#73C983",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            115,
            201,
            131
          ],
          "hsl": [
            131,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            43,
            0,
            35,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.4706,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 10.41,
            "white": 2.02
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A",
              "#36454F"
            ],
            "AAA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ]
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/73c983/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/73c983.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#738EC9",
          "name": "#738EC9",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            115,
            142,
            201
          ],
          "hsl": [
            221,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            43,
            29,
            0,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.2721,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 6.44,
            "white": 3.26
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/738ec9/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/738ec9.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#C973B9",
          "name": "#C973B9",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            201,
            115,
            185
          ],
          "hsl": [
            311,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            0,
            43,
            8,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.2818,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 6.64,
            "white": 3.16
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/c973b9/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/c973b9.json"
        }
      ],
      "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-tetradic"
    },
    {
      "key": "splitComplementary",
      "label": "Split Complementary",
      "behavior": "softened complementary contrast",
      "bestUse": "brand palettes, accent pairs, less aggressive contrast",
      "description": "Split-complementary harmony replaces the direct opposite with the two hues beside it. This keeps useful contrast while reducing the visual tension of a pure complementary pair.",
      "colors": [
        {
          "hex": "#73B9C9",
          "name": "#73B9C9",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            115,
            185,
            201
          ],
          "hsl": [
            191,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            43,
            8,
            0,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.4256,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 9.51,
            "white": 2.21
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ]
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/73b9c9/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/73b9c9.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#8373C9",
          "name": "#8373C9",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            131,
            115,
            201
          ],
          "hsl": [
            251,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            35,
            43,
            0,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.213,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 5.26,
            "white": 3.99
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/8373c9/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/8373c9.json"
        }
      ],
      "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-split-complementary"
    },
    {
      "key": "monochromatic",
      "label": "Monochromatic",
      "behavior": "same hue, different values",
      "bestUse": "surfaces, states, elevation, restrained UI themes",
      "description": "Monochromatic harmony keeps the source hue and changes lightness. It is the safest system for tonal UI, cards, hover states, shadows, backgrounds, and subtle visual hierarchy.",
      "colors": [
        {
          "hex": "#E2D4B6",
          "name": "#E2D4B6",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            226,
            212,
            182
          ],
          "hsl": [
            41,
            43,
            80
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            0,
            6,
            19,
            11
          ],
          "luminance": 0.6663,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 14.33,
            "white": 1.47
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A",
              "#36454F"
            ],
            "AAA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ]
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/e2d4b6/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/e2d4b6.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#C9AE74",
          "name": "Sandstone",
          "slug": "sandstone",
          "rgb": [
            201,
            174,
            116
          ],
          "hsl": [
            41,
            44,
            62
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            0,
            13,
            42,
            21
          ],
          "luminance": 0.4395,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 9.79,
            "white": 2.15
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A",
              "#36454F"
            ],
            "AAA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ]
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/colors/sandstone/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/colors/sandstone.json"
        },
        {
          "hex": "#A2823F",
          "name": "#A2823F",
          "slug": null,
          "rgb": [
            162,
            130,
            63
          ],
          "hsl": [
            41,
            44,
            44
          ],
          "cmyk": [
            0,
            20,
            61,
            36
          ],
          "luminance": 0.2401,
          "contrast": {
            "black": 5.8,
            "white": 3.62
          },
          "wcag": {
            "AA": [
              "#000000",
              "#1A1A1A"
            ],
            "AAA": []
          },
          "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/hex/a2823f/",
          "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/a2823f.json"
        }
      ],
      "anchor": "sandstone-harmony-monochromatic"
    }
  ],
  "signaturePalette": [
    "#C9AE74",
    "#738EC9",
    "#C98373",
    "#B9C973",
    "#E2D4B6",
    "#A2823F"
  ],
  "semanticGroups": [
    "orange harmony",
    "warm harmony",
    "earth tone harmony",
    "sandstone palette system"
  ],
  "useCases": [
    "palette generation",
    "brand color exploration",
    "UI accent planning",
    "CSS design tokens",
    "AI color retrieval"
  ],
  "accessibilityNotes": [
    "Black contrast on Sandstone: 9.79:1",
    "White contrast on Sandstone: 2.15:1",
    "AA text options: #000000, #1A1A1A, #36454F"
  ],
  "relatedEndpoints": [
    "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/harmonies/sandstone.json",
    "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/colors/sandstone.json",
    "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/hex/c9ae74.json"
  ],
  "url": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/harmonies/sandstone/",
  "apiUrl": "https://www.colorsencyclopedia.com/api/harmonies/sandstone.json",
  "cssSnippet": ":root {\n  --color-sandstone: #C9AE74;\n  --sandstone-complementary-1: #738EC9;\n  --sandstone-analogous-1: #C98373;\n  --sandstone-analogous-2: #B9C973;\n  --sandstone-triadic-1: #73C9AE;\n  --sandstone-triadic-2: #AE73C9;\n  --sandstone-tetradic-1: #73C983;\n  --sandstone-tetradic-2: #738EC9;\n  --sandstone-tetradic-3: #C973B9;\n  --sandstone-split-complementary-1: #73B9C9;\n  --sandstone-split-complementary-2: #8373C9;\n  --sandstone-monochromatic-1: #E2D4B6;\n  --sandstone-monochromatic-2: #C9AE74;\n  --sandstone-monochromatic-3: #A2823F;\n}\n\n.palette-sandstone-harmony {\n  color: #111827;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #C9AE74, #738EC9, #C98373, #B9C973, #E2D4B6, #A2823F);\n}"
}

CSS Harmony Tokens

Use these tokens when Sandstone needs a complete palette system instead of a single color variable.

:root {
  --color-sandstone: #C9AE74;
  --sandstone-complementary-1: #738EC9;
  --sandstone-analogous-1: #C98373;
  --sandstone-analogous-2: #B9C973;
  --sandstone-triadic-1: #73C9AE;
  --sandstone-triadic-2: #AE73C9;
  --sandstone-tetradic-1: #73C983;
  --sandstone-tetradic-2: #738EC9;
  --sandstone-tetradic-3: #C973B9;
  --sandstone-split-complementary-1: #73B9C9;
  --sandstone-split-complementary-2: #8373C9;
  --sandstone-monochromatic-1: #E2D4B6;
  --sandstone-monochromatic-2: #C9AE74;
  --sandstone-monochromatic-3: #A2823F;
}

.palette-sandstone-harmony {
  color: #111827;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #C9AE74, #738EC9, #C98373, #B9C973, #E2D4B6, #A2823F);
}

Sandstone Harmony Groups

Open a group to inspect its generated colors, intended behavior, and best design use. Anchor links above open the matching group directly.

Complementary Harmony1 colors · maximum hue contrast

Complementary harmony uses the color opposite the source hue. It creates the strongest direct relationship in the wheel, so it is best for accents, contrast anchors, and palettes that need immediate separation.

Behaviormaximum hue contrast

Best useaccent colors, strong calls to action, visual opposition

Source colorSandstone · #C9AE74

#738EC9#738EC9

Analogous Harmony2 colors · neighboring hue movement

Analogous harmony uses hues close to the source color. It keeps the palette visually connected and is useful for quiet interfaces, editorial color systems, and smooth background or gradient work.

Behaviorneighboring hue movement

Best usecalm palettes, gradients, natural transitions

Source colorSandstone · #C9AE74

#C98373#C98373

#B9C973#B9C973

Triadic Harmony2 colors · three evenly spaced hues

Triadic harmony places colors around the wheel at equal intervals. It gives more range than analogous harmony while keeping a stable mathematical relationship between the selected hues.

Behaviorthree evenly spaced hues

Best usebalanced contrast, playful systems, broad palette range

Source colorSandstone · #C9AE74

#73C9AE#73C9AE

#AE73C9#AE73C9

Tetradic Harmony3 colors · two complementary pairs

Tetradic harmony creates a four-color system from two complementary relationships. It is useful when a palette needs multiple roles, but the colors should be assigned carefully so one hue remains dominant.

Behaviortwo complementary pairs

Best uselarge design systems, dashboards, multi-state UI

Source colorSandstone · #C9AE74

#73C983#73C983

#738EC9#738EC9

#C973B9#C973B9

Split Complementary Harmony2 colors · softened complementary contrast

Split-complementary harmony replaces the direct opposite with the two hues beside it. This keeps useful contrast while reducing the visual tension of a pure complementary pair.

Behaviorsoftened complementary contrast

Best usebrand palettes, accent pairs, less aggressive contrast

Source colorSandstone · #C9AE74

#73B9C9#73B9C9

#8373C9#8373C9

Monochromatic Harmony3 colors · same hue, different values

Monochromatic harmony keeps the source hue and changes lightness. It is the safest system for tonal UI, cards, hover states, shadows, backgrounds, and subtle visual hierarchy.

Behaviorsame hue, different values

Best usesurfaces, states, elevation, restrained UI themes

Source colorSandstone · #C9AE74

#E2D4B6#E2D4B6

Sandstone#C9AE74

#A2823F#A2823F

Sandstone Color Harmonies

Sandstone Harmony Guide

Machine-Readable Sandstone Harmony Data (JSON)

CSS Harmony Tokens

Sandstone Harmony Groups

Related Harmony Guides