Color seasons and palette names, explained
Explore sixteen palette guides across Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The guide names include related and overlapping types; Palette Hunt’s photo analysis estimates one of 12 seasonal types.
What is a color season?
A color season is the group of colors that harmonize with your natural coloring. Seasonal color analysis reads three things about you — your undertone (warm or cool), your value (light or deep), and your chroma (soft or clear) — and matches them to a season.
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter are the four broad families. Different methods use twelve or sixteen types, with their own names and boundaries. These guide entries include alternate labels, such as Bright and Clear, that can describe similar palettes. Palette Hunt’s photo analysis uses 12 types. Read our guide to twelve- and sixteen-type methods for the framework differences.
Want the framework first? Read what color analysis measures, then use the skin tone color chart to compare depth and undertone before choosing a season.
Sixteen seasonal palette guides
Four guide entries in each season family, including alternate palette names. Tap a guide to explore its traits and suggested colors.
Spring
Warm & bright
Golden undertones with fresh, clear warmth — think coral, warm yellow, and turquoise.
Summer
Cool & soft
Blue undertones with gentle, muted softness — powder blue, lavender, and dusty rose.
Autumn
Warm & deep
Golden undertones with rich, earthy depth — rust, olive, camel, and mustard.
Winter
Cool & bright
Blue undertones with high contrast — sapphire, magenta, emerald, and true red.
Color palettes by season
In-depth palette guides for each sub-season — the exact shades to wear, plus makeup and outfit ideas.
How to find your color season
- 1
Find your undertone
Look at the veins on your inner wrist in natural light. Blue or purple points cool; green points warm; a mix is neutral. Cool undertones lean Summer or Winter; warm lean Spring or Autumn.
- 2
Judge your value
How light or deep is your overall coloring (skin, hair, and eyes together)? Light, delicate coloring leans Light Spring/Summer; deep, rich coloring leans Deep Autumn/Winter.
- 3
Read your chroma
Is your coloring soft and blended, or clear and high-contrast? Muted, low-contrast features point Soft Summer/Autumn; vivid, high-contrast features point Bright/Clear Spring/Winter.
- 4
Explore your season
Use undertone, value and chroma as starting points. The quiz estimates a broad season family; photo analysis estimates one of twelve seasonal types. Compare suggested colors in even daylight, and consider fabric draping if nearby palettes are hard to distinguish.
The color season chart
Every season at a glance, by undertone, value, and chroma.
| Season | Undertone | Value | Chroma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Spring | Warm-neutral | Light | Bright |
| Warm Spring | Warm | Medium | Bright |
| Bright Spring | Warm-neutral | Medium | Clear |
| Clear Spring | Neutral-warm | Medium | Clear |
| Light Summer | Cool-neutral | Light | Soft |
| Cool Summer | Cool | Medium | Soft |
| Soft Summer | Cool-neutral | Medium | Muted |
| Warm Summer | Neutral-cool | Light-medium | Soft |
| Soft Autumn | Warm-neutral | Medium | Muted |
| Warm Autumn | Warm | Medium-deep | Muted |
| Deep Autumn | Warm-neutral | Deep | Muted |
| Cool Autumn | Neutral-warm | Medium-deep | Muted |
| Deep Winter | Cool-neutral | Deep | Clear |
| Cool Winter | Cool | Medium-deep | Bright |
| Bright Winter | Cool-neutral | Medium-deep | Clear |
| Clear Winter | Neutral-cool | Deep | Clear |
Color season FAQs
What is a color season?
A color season is a styling palette described through undertone, value and chroma. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter are the four broad families. Different methods subdivide these families differently. Use a suggested palette to compare colors near your face and see which effects you prefer.
How many color seasons are there?
The broad families are Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Methods using twelve or sixteen types have different names and boundaries. Palette Hunt’s photo analysis uses 12 seasonal types. This page links sixteen educational guide entries, including alternate names and overlapping palette descriptions.
What is the difference between the 4-season and 16-season systems?
A four-season approach uses four broad palette families. Sixteen-type methods subdivide those families according to their own criteria and terminology. Undertone, lightness and color intensity can matter in both approaches. More categories alone do not prove more accurate analysis; compare the method, photo conditions or draping, and the usefulness of its recommendations.
How do I find my color season?
Compare colors near your face in even daylight, considering undertone, lightness and color intensity together. A quiz or photo analysis offers a starting estimate. Lighting, filters, makeup and dyed hair can affect photo results. An in-person consultation with fabric drapes can help distinguish close palettes.
Is a color season the same as a skin undertone?
No — undertone is just one of the three inputs. Two people can both have cool undertones but belong to different seasons because one is light and soft (Light Summer) and the other is deep and clear (Deep Winter). Your season is the combination of undertone, value, and chroma.
Can my color season change over time?
Your underlying undertone stays the same, but value can shift as your hair greys or you change your hair color, which can move you toward a softer or deeper neighboring season. Most people stay within the same season family their whole life.
Meet the colors made for you
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Meet the colors made for you
Your personalized color analysis in minutes — then see yourself in every look on your real face. One-time payment, no subscription.