12 season color analysis
The 12 seasonal color palettes
Every seasonal color palette in one place, each with 34–37 named colors and hex codes. 12 season color analysis groups colors (and people’s natural coloring) by three qualities: warm or cool undertone, light or deep value, and soft or clear chroma. Four families, three variations each: twelve palettes to explore.
Many seasons go by more than one name: Deep Autumn is also called Dark Autumn, Deep Winter is Dark Winter, True Summer is Cool Summer, True Autumn is Warm Autumn, True Winter is Cool Winter and True Spring is Warm Spring. The names differ between systems; the palettes are the same.
Want a quick starting point? The color season quiz takes about two minutes.
Each season is a neighborhood rather than a box. Most people have one quality that stands out (very warm, very soft, very deep…) and that dominant quality names the season. Neighbors share it, which is why people often “sit between” two seasons.
Spring color palettes
Warm and fresh. Spring palettes are golden-based and fairly clear, from delicate pastels to juicy brights.
Summer color palettes
Cool and gentle. Summer palettes are blue-based and softened, from airy pastels to smoky, misty tones.
Autumn color palettes
Warm and earthy. Autumn palettes are golden-based and rich, from muted camel and sage to deep spice.
Winter color palettes
Cool and crisp. Winter palettes are blue-based and high-contrast, from icy accents to deep jewel tones.
The three axes at a glance
How each season sits on ColorWhim’s three axes. The bold one is the season’s dominant quality.
| Season | Warm / cool | Light / deep | Soft / clear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Spring | leans warm | clearly light | leans clear |
| True Spring | clearly warm | leans light | leans clear |
| Bright Spring | leans warm | in the middle | clearly clear |
| Light Summer | leans cool | clearly light | leans soft |
| True Summer | clearly cool | leans light | leans soft |
| Soft Summer | leans cool | in the middle | clearly soft |
| Soft Autumn | leans warm | in the middle | clearly soft |
| True Autumn | clearly warm | leans deep | leans soft |
| Deep Autumn | leans warm | clearly deep | in the middle |
| Deep Winter | leans cool | clearly deep | leans clear |
| True Winter | clearly cool | leans deep | leans clear |
| Bright Winter | leans cool | in the middle | clearly clear |
This framework is a playful styling tool, not a scientific classification. Lighting, makeup, hair color and even your mood change how colors look on you.
Not sure where to start? Take the color analysis quiz (no photo needed), then compare your top two seasons with the photo tool.