Seasonal color analysis
The 12 seasons of color analysis
Seasonal color analysis sorts people into four families, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, by undertone (warm or cool) and then into three seasons each by their strongest trait: light, deep, bright, soft, warm or cool. That gives 12 seasons, each with its own palette, neutrals and metals. Open any season below to see its colors.
Updated
The four color families
Spring: warm and clear
Golden undertone, clear color: coral, turquoise, golden yellow, warm green.
Summer: cool and soft
Rosy undertone, blended coloring: dusty rose, powder blue, lavender, soft navy.
Autumn: warm and muted
Golden or olive undertone, rich earthy colors: rust, olive, mustard, teal.
Winter: cool and vivid
Cool undertone, high color contrast: true red, royal blue, emerald, black and white.
All 12 color seasons
Each color season is named after the trait that dominates and borrows its second trait from its family. Neighbouring seasons share colors, which is why your best color palette may overlap with a sister season. Pick a season below to see every color with its hex code.
How to use your color season palette
- Wear your best color near your face: tops, scarves, collars, glasses and makeup matter most.
- Build a base from the season’s neutrals, then add one or two accent colors.
- Use the colors to avoid below the waist or as shoes and bags if you love them.
- Match metals to the season: gold for warm seasons, silver for cool ones, brushed finishes for soft ones.
- Keep the season’s contrast: high-contrast seasons combine light and dark, low-contrast seasons stay tonal.
12 vs 4 vs 16 seasons
The 4-season system puts everyone into Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. The 12-season system, used here, adds the dominant trait so a soft, cool person is not forced into a palette meant for bright, cool people. Some analysts use 16 seasons by adding extra in-between types; the logic is the same, the borders are finer. Read more in 12 vs 16 season color analysis.
| Season | Dominant trait | Second trait | Contrast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Spring | Light | Warm | Low |
| True Spring | Warm | Bright | Medium |
| Bright Spring | Bright | Warm | High |
| Light Summer | Light | Cool | Low |
| True Summer | Cool | Soft | Medium |
| Soft Summer | Soft | Cool | Low |
| Soft Autumn | Soft | Warm | Low |
| True Autumn | Warm | Soft | Medium |
| Deep Autumn | Deep | Warm | High |
| Deep Winter | Deep | Cool | High |
| True Winter | Cool | Bright | High |
| Bright Winter | Bright | Cool | High |
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do I find my season in the 12-season color analysis?
Decide warm or cool first, then which trait is strongest: light, deep, bright or soft. The free color analysis test does this in 12 questions; the season finder explains it step by step.
Why do neighbouring seasons share colors?
Each season shares one trait with each neighbour: Soft Summer and Soft Autumn are both soft, Soft Summer and True Summer both cool. The shared trait gives them overlapping colors, which is why a runner-up season is still useful.
Which color season is the most common?
There is no reliable census. Online, many people are typed as Summer, partly because indoor photos and phone screens make faces look softer and cooler than in daylight.
What is the rarest color season?
Bright seasons are often called rare because they need high contrast and clear eyes, but no published data proves which season is rarest.
Are men and women the same seasons?
Yes. Seasons describe coloring, not gender. Men use the palette for shirts, knitwear, ties and suits.
Keep exploring
What color season am I?
Undertone, depth and contrast in three checks.
Free color analysis test
12 questions, a likely season, no sign-up.
AI color analysis
Upload one selfie, get a full report.
Undertone test
Warm, cool or neutral in 30 seconds.
Hair color analysis
Hair shades that flatter your season.
How to do color analysis
A complete DIY guide, step by step.
Find your colors today
Start with the free test, or upload a selfie: your first photo analysis is free, and the full AI report adds a 30-color palette, makeup and hair.