The blank grey plastic problem: you love a model but can’t decide how to paint it. This generator rolls a coherent, faction-appropriate colour scheme — main colour, secondary, metal and accent — complete with close-match Citadel paint names and hex codes, so you can go from undecided to primed in a minute.
Choose a faction, generate, and copy the hex codes for your notes.
Why the schemes actually work
Each faction has its own hand-picked colour pools and its own role labels — Tyranids get carapace, skin and claws; Necrons get a metal body and an energy glow — so every roll reads like a real army, not a random palette. The Citadel paint names are close matches to point you at the pot; swap in your own range if you prefer.
Take it further at the paint desk
- New to painting? Start with the beginner’s guide to painting miniatures.
- Playing Space Marines? See every canon chapter in all Space Marine chapter colours.
- Want curated per-faction ideas? Browse Tyranid colour schemes, T’au colour schemes and how to paint Necrons.
- Building a home-brew force? Give it a name first with the Warhammer name generator.
Frequently asked questions
Are the paint suggestions official Citadel colours?
They’re close matches to Citadel paints to guide you to the right pot — not an official product database. Any equivalent from Vallejo or Army Painter works just as well.
Can I use these schemes for any faction?
Yes — the generator covers Space Marines, Tyranids, Necrons, T’au, Orks, Chaos Space Marines, Aeldari, Death Guard, Astra Militarum and Adeptus Custodes, or pick “surprise me” for a random faction.
How do I choose a colour scheme for my Warhammer army?
Pick one main colour, one secondary colour, a metal and a single bright accent, then stick to them across the whole army. Contrast matters more than the exact colours: a dark main colour works well with a light secondary, and the accent should be used sparingly on lenses, gems or markings. The generator above follows that same structure.
Can I use a custom colour scheme at tournaments?
Yes. Tournaments and Games Workshop events judge whether models are painted, not which colours you choose, so a home-brew scheme is fine. Some events have a minimum painting standard, such as a fully painted and based army. A consistent scheme also makes it easier for your opponent to tell your units apart.
What colours go well together on miniatures?
Complementary pairs are the easiest win: blue with orange, red with green, and purple with yellow all make each other stand out. For a calmer look, use colours next to each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and teal, with one contrasting accent. Neutral metals and blacks fit with almost any scheme.