A color wheel lets users visually change an individual channel of a color on a circular track.
The background of the color wheel is a visual representation of the range of values that a user can select from. It can represent color properties such as hues or color channel values (such as RGB or CMYK levels). The exact format this background property takes will depend on what implementation you are working with. Some examples of the format include image, canvas, and gradient.
The value is the number selected within the color wheel’s range, from the min value to max value.
The min and max values can also be customized appropriately for what the color wheel is being used for. By default, the min value starts at 0 and max value is set to 360.
The step refers to the increment by which these values increase or decrease. A step value of 1 (default) allows a user to only select whole numbers within the min and max range.
A color wheel’s size can be customized appropriately for its context. By default, the size is size-2400 (192 px on desktop, 240 px on mobile).
A color wheel in a disabled state shows that an input exists, but is not available in that circumstance. This can be used to maintain layout continuity and communicate that the wheel may become available later.
From the design point of view, each component has a number of options. These options and their names are platform agnostic, and each implementation should adapt these to fit into their framework.
Property | Values | Default Value |
---|---|---|
background | – This will vary depending on implementation. | – |
value | number (from min to max) | – |
min value | number | 0 |
max value | number | 360 |
step | number | 1 |
size | number | size-2400 |
is disabled | yes / no | no |
A color wheel can be navigated using a keyboard. The keyboard focus state enlarges the handle to become twice as large.
A color wheel’s minimum size is the same as its default: size-2400 (192 px on desktop, 240 px on mobile).
The color wheel is often used together with the color area component for color selection. When placing the color area inside the color wheel, make sure to leave enough of a margin between the two components to ensure there’s enough space for the both handles.
When using color areas, it’s important to clearly display the color selection in real time. It can be in a color swatch, directly on the canvas, or both.
The color loupe component can be used above the handle to show the selected color that would otherwise be covered by a cursor, stylus, or finger on the down/touch state. This can be customized to appear only on finger-input, or always appear regardless of input type.
Key | Interactions |
---|---|
Tab | Places focus on the handle. If the handle is already in focus, moves focus to the next element in the page tab sequence. |
Shift + Tab | Places focus on the previous element in the page tab sequence. |
Right Arrow | Moves the handle clockwise. |
Left Arrow | Moves the handle counter-clockwise. |
Date | Number | Notes |
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May 13, 2020 | 2.0.0 |
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Mar 26, 2020 | 1.0.1 |
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Apr 20, 2019 | 1.0.0 |
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Includes all interactive states that are applicable (hover, down, focus, keyboard focus, disabled).
Includes relevant options (variant, style, size, orientation, optional iconography, decorations, selection, error state, etc.)
Works properly across all four color themes (lightest, light, dark, darkest).
Includes a desktop scale (UWP, macOS, web desktop) and a mobile scale (iOS, Android, web mobile).
Includes guidelines for layout (wrapping, truncation, overflow), animation, interactions, etc.
Includes a list of dos and don’ts that highlight best practices and common mistakes.
Follows WCAG 2.0 standards for contrast (AA).
Works properly across various locales and includes guidelines for bi-directionality (RTL).
Follows WCAG 2.0 standards for keyboard accessibility guidelines and includes a description of the keyboard interactions.
All design attributes (color, typography, layout, animation, etc.) are included in Spectrum DNA.
Includes a downloadable XD file that has been generated by code and shows multiple variations, states, color themes, and scales.
Component is included in the Spectrum for Adobe XD plugin.